From party frocks to invites and Christmas cocktails, we've got everything you need to throw a fabulous party
Child safety in the home
Jeopardy can lurk in the most unexpected places when there's a tot around. Here's where to look
We all know that stairs, saucepan handles and garden ponds suddenly become dangerous when you have young children. However, if you are trying to childproof your home, there are other less obvious hazards that warrant attention too.
Mineral oils
Most parents wouldn't think twice about leaving a bottle of baby oil on the changing mat, but such is the concern about this product in America, that new regulations have just been set in place there to ensure that bottles are always fitted with childproof caps. This also applies to sunscreens and bath oils, which like baby oil contain ten per cent or more hydrocarbon, a watery mineral oil.
If ingested, mineral oil can coat the lungs and cause a deadly form of chemical pneumonia. The main concern about hydrocarbons is that, if they are swallowed, a child then chokes and breathes it into their lungs.
Deaths in the US caused by hydrocarbon poisoning have been rare (five children have died from 1993 to date, three of them from baby oil). However, much larger numbers have to be admitted to casualty (6,400 children between 1997 to 1999). In the UK there is little general knowledge about the health problems associated with accidental ingestion of this oil in personal care products, which is sometimes referred to as 'liquid Vaseline', and there are no requirements that products should have safety caps.
Make it safe: Keep mineral oils out of the reach of children. If your child does accidentally consume a product that contains hydrocarbon, it's very important that you don't try to induce them to vomit, as this makes inhalation more likely. Seek medical attention immediately.
Grapes and cherry tomatoes
Between eight and ten children die every year in this country due to choking on food. Grapes and cherry tomatoes are among the latest foods to cause concern. Colourful, round and sweet, they are attractive to children, and parents are often delighted to be able to feed their offspring such healthy food. But they are the perfect size to get trapped in small throats.
Make it safe: The main thing is to supervise small children when they are eating. 'Get them to sit down, rather than wander around with food,' advices Charlotte Stark of the Child Accident Prevention Trust. Cut grapes and cherry tomatoes in half. Sit children down to eat and supervise them at all times.
1 | 2 | 3 | next
printer friendly
send to a friend
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB
