Posts Tagged ‘First’

Safety of Your Twins First

When shopping for twins, do not forget to shop for childproofing supplies. With multiple children in one home, it is easy to turn away from one child to attend to the other. Raising multiples makes a safe home environment all the more important. I typically counsel my patients to childproof their homes before their children become mobile, around nine months old. However, in the case of twins, I recommend getting the house safety-fitted as soon as possible.

Once things get busy with caring for twins, the large task of child proofing a home can become quite difficult to tackle. Making a home safe for twins can seem extremely daunting at first. Visit any child safety section in a baby store or on a Web site, and you can easily feel overwhelmed by all the products to prevent potential hazards in the home. Work one room at a time, and at a minimum, buy these important safety items: Stair gates.

For multilevel homes, install gates at the top and bottom of the stairs. Use wall-mounted stair gates because pressure-mounted gates can buckle. Safety netting or acrylic plastic sheets. Buy mesh or acrylic plastic sheets to fill the open space between the railings of stairs and balconies.

Window guards and locks. I recommend locks on all windows to prevent children from falling out of them. Consider window guards (also known as window gates) for all upstairs rooms and any other room where children may go unattended for any period of time, such as their bedroom. Remember that window screens do not protect against falls. Childproof door knobs and locks. Place on the door of any room you do not want your children to access.

I recommend these on all bathroom doors and any doors that open to the outside of the house. Childproof gates. Place in doorways and hallways to keep your twins away from unsafe areas in your home. Cabinet latches and locks. Place all dangerous items in higher cabinets and shelves and then install cabinet latches and locks. Common hazardous items include medications, flammable items, cleaning agents, batteries, small items your babies can choke on, and sharp utensils. Stove knob covers and stove guards.

Install these to prevent burns and inadvertent carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas stove that is turned on but not lighted. Fire and carbon monoxide detectors. Install at least one on every floor of the house, especially near bedrooms. Make a habit of checking the detectors at least once a month to ensure that they are functioning properly.

The First Years Simple & Secure Stair Gate

From the Manufacturer

The simple and secure stair gate is designed to swing open easily ¿ without pinching — and close securely with a click sound to reassure it is locked. The push and turn lock is easy for an adult but too difficult for a child under two to open. Our Simple and Secure Stair Gate is hardware mounted to meet stairwell safety standards. Safety-spaced, coated metal bars create a sturdy barrier to protect little ones. Adjustment slots allow you to customize width (more…)

The First Years Hands Free Gate

Amazon.com

Because of its simple “knee-knocker” mechanism, this Hands Free Gate can do exactly what the name implies: be opened without having to use your hands. Any parent occupied with little ones and all of their necessities will quickly recognize this as a huge benefit. To operate, simply press on the pedal with your toes and then bump the knee plate with your knee. Closing is just a nudge in the opposite direction; you will hear a click when the latch has caught, offering p (more…)