Baby Safety
Babies are among the most fragile and delicate creatures on the planet. Thus, no one can be overly-careful with them. Fortunately, there are a lot of baby safety products available which help parents ensure that their babies receive the best protection the world can offer.
Choosing products for your little bundle means looking beyond aesthetics. Most parents agree that selection is usually influenced by how cute the products are. However, the best things do not always come nicely-wrapped. And unfortunately sometimes, the cutest ones eliminate the most essential element – baby safety.
While there are certain safety standards adhered to by manufacturers, some products hit the shelves without having gone through safety testing. These products get recalled due to safety issues, but only after some parents have bought and started using them. And worse, there are even baby products which have been considered unsafe, but are still widely sold on the market up to now.
Childproofing the home may be too much for some parents, but it is actually a need no parent can ignore. Baby safety should start right after the mother gives birth. Infant safety is particularly important to prevent “sudden infant death syndrome” or SIDS. Otherwise known as crib death, this fatal occurrence remains unexplained and happens all too suddenly to babies below one year old. For starters, parents of newborns should remember this rule: play on the tummy, but sleep on the back.
If your baby has survived the crucial “SIDS” phase, it does not mean that he is spared from any other form of hazard. In fact, around 2.5 million children get hurt by various hazards in their own homes. However, these can easily be prevented if parents learn the proper way of childproofing their homes.
No home can be 100% childproof. But, parents should know that choosing the most reliable baby safety products makes a lot of difference. There are several ways to check whether the baby safety product you’re thinking of buying is really safe or not. There is a particular nonprofit organization known as “Kids in Danger”, who aims to safeguard children against defective and unsafe products. Parents can verify if the product they have in mind is on the list. Their online website will show what products are known to have track records of being unsafe.
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association or (JPMA) is a trade association which has its own set of safety standards, a lot more higher than the ones set by the government. Good baby safety items are those which earned JPMA’s seal. The JPMA also has its own website where a list of the products it has certified can be found.
Consumer reports may also help parents in their selection. There are several websites online which provide free information and reviews about various baby products. Sometimes, the most reliable suggestions come from parents who have personally tried using the products.
Lastly, make sure that you read the labels and product manuals. Such information will tell if the product is appropriate for your child’s age or needs. The labels also contain important things about the product, such as its features, presence of small parts, and other pertinent instructions.
It is but natural for parents to worry about their children. But worrying without acting on it does not really help improve any type of situation. Basically, parents know what’s best and safe for their children. Thus, even if some baby safety products claim to be genuinely safe, they don’t buy them because they think these do not benefit their children. Safety should be considered as more than just an option, but a lifestyle.