Baby proofing is one of the most important things you can do for a child and yourself. What you need to baby proof depends largely on how old the baby is. As they get older the baby proofing changes, so try to anticipate what you will need to baby proof next. Also, keep in mind that when you baby proof your home life won’t be as convenient or as aesthetically pleasing, but it is for the well being of your little ones. Below is a breakdown on what you should baby proof based on the baby’s age.
Babies under three months old
1.) Use cribs made no later than 1992 and that meet the American Society for Testing Material safety standards. Crib mattresses should fit tightly, so the baby can’t slip between the mattress and crib. Also, crib slats should be 2 3/8 inches apart so the baby’s head won’t get stuck in between the slats.
2.) Don’t put pillows, stuffed animals or heating pads in the crib. Babies can suffocate on pillows and stuff animals and with heating pads, they can get burned.
3.) If you use a mesh playpen, make sure the holes are ¾ inch across, and definitely make sure the playpen doesn’t have any tears where the baby could get trapped.
4.) Use a safety belt with the changing table. If the changing table doesn’t have one, you can install one. You should also use a safety belt when the baby is in a swing or bouncy chair.
5.) Put an area rug underneath the crib and/or changing table which will act as some cushion if the baby were to fall.
Four months to when the baby is walking
1.) Get on the baby’s level to see what they see (in other words get on your hands and knees and crawl around). By doing this you will see edges, electrical outlets, strings, and gaps that you might not have noticed from your everyday view point.
2.) Keep small items out of reach. One good test to see if an item is considered small is to see if it will fit inside a cardboard toilet paper roll. If it does, it is too small and could be a serious choking hazard.
3.) Shorten cords on blinds, drapes and make sure cords to appliances are wrapped up. Cords can become extremely dangerous in that a child can get hung up in them.
4.) Move household plants out of reach. You wouldn’t think so, but certain household plants are poisonous when consumed.
5.) Make sure all the electrical outlets are covered. Use covers that are child-resistant.
6.) Pad the edges of coffee tables and fireplaces, so if a child falls they won’t cut themselves -especially their head on the edge of the object. Also, be sure to have screens around fireplaces, radiators and even space heaters.
7.) As soon as the baby can move and grab items, remove the hanging items or mobiles above the crib as well as the crib bumper. The crib bumper can be used as a step for the child to get out of the crib.
8.) Place stereos, televisions and other electronics in a way that the child cannot pull them off and onto themselves. This goes for bookshelves and entertainment centers too. Secure these furniture pieces in a way so they won’t fall onto the child when they use them to pull up and stand.
9.) Secure cupboard doors with childproof locks. However, one good idea is to leave an easy-to-reach cupboard open and fill it with plastic containers or pots and pans that are safe for the baby to play with.
10.) Put dangerous items (e.g., cleaning solutions, knives) far out of reach of children.
Other safety tips you should do regardless of the baby’s age are the following.
1.) Make sure every room of the house has a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector. Call your local fire department if you need help installing or information on purchasing a smoke and/or carbon monoxide detector.
2.) Program your phone with the numbers of the baby’s pediatrician, the poison control center, the baby’s parents (and/or your spouse at work) and your ambulance service (if you don't have 911).
3.) Don't expose the baby to smoke. Secondhand smoke can cause illness now and serious health problems down the road.
4.) If you don’t have time or don’t feel confident that you can baby proof your home - ask a professional. "Baby-proofers,” as they may be called, will come to your home, install protectors and locks, and look for hazards you might not notice. Have the baby’s parent ask their pediatrician if they know of any reliable, baby-proofers in the area.
For more information on how to keep your home safe for children visit the National Safe Kids Campaign at www.safekids.org.
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Friday, June 4, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Dear Just Be: Summer is finally here and my family and I really want to get out of the city this weekend. Where can we go?
As a Denver native, my family always would take a summer trip up to Estes Park. Though the town has grown in the last few decades, it is still a favorite get away destination for many folks in Denver and around the state.
Only about 1.5-2 hours from Denver, Estes Park is nestled at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park. In the park, you can camp, hike, take a scenic drive along Trail Ridge Road (weather permitting), visit the terrific Visitor center and watch a movie about the geological area, fish, rock climb, take in some wildlife viewing, go horseback riding and more. For more details about the offerings of the park, visit their website.
In the town of Estes Park, there is much to see and do. First, since this little town is so popular you may want to secure your accommodations There is an assortment of lodging options, from motels and hotels, to camping sites and B&B's. You can check out the Estes Park Visitor Center for more information.
Once you are settled, enjoy the beautiful summer days and evenings walking through the town shops, enjoying a picnic on the shores of Lake Estes or along the banks of the Big Thompson River and even taking in a arts & crafts or music festival. Several of the motels, lodges and hotels have swimming pools and you can bask in the sun and then take a dip to cool off. If you are more adventurous, get out on the water and rent a boat to take out onto Lake Estes.
Are you a golfer? Take to the fairways on one of the two courses near town. Or for the kids, head over to either of the miniature golf courses and get a round or two in with the whole family. Both miniature golf courses also have other fun activities, such as a super slide, go-karts, bumper cars and bumper boats and more. So be a kid again and have some summer fun!
If you are into history, be sure to check out the Stanley Hotel and its tours. This is the famous hotel "The Shining" was filmed in. The local museum also has an exhibit on the 1960's that could be fun to check out.
Are you looking to unwind? There are a number of places you can sit with a book, listen to the river rumble by, or watch for wildlife and birds. Need a spa to rejuvenate you? There is a spa in town and quite a few massage therapists to choose from (they will even come to your hotel, motel, condo and give you a massage.)
While you are in town, there is an assortment of dining options to check out. From cafes to fine dining establishments. Some offer free live music so be sure to check out the local newspaper and flyer's posted around town to see what is going on during your visit.
Whatever you decide to do while visiting Estes Park, you are sure to enjoy yourselves- its a great get away destination for everyone!
Only about 1.5-2 hours from Denver, Estes Park is nestled at the base of Rocky Mountain National Park. In the park, you can camp, hike, take a scenic drive along Trail Ridge Road (weather permitting), visit the terrific Visitor center and watch a movie about the geological area, fish, rock climb, take in some wildlife viewing, go horseback riding and more. For more details about the offerings of the park, visit their website.
In the town of Estes Park, there is much to see and do. First, since this little town is so popular you may want to secure your accommodations There is an assortment of lodging options, from motels and hotels, to camping sites and B&B's. You can check out the Estes Park Visitor Center for more information.
Once you are settled, enjoy the beautiful summer days and evenings walking through the town shops, enjoying a picnic on the shores of Lake Estes or along the banks of the Big Thompson River and even taking in a arts & crafts or music festival. Several of the motels, lodges and hotels have swimming pools and you can bask in the sun and then take a dip to cool off. If you are more adventurous, get out on the water and rent a boat to take out onto Lake Estes.
Are you a golfer? Take to the fairways on one of the two courses near town. Or for the kids, head over to either of the miniature golf courses and get a round or two in with the whole family. Both miniature golf courses also have other fun activities, such as a super slide, go-karts, bumper cars and bumper boats and more. So be a kid again and have some summer fun!
If you are into history, be sure to check out the Stanley Hotel and its tours. This is the famous hotel "The Shining" was filmed in. The local museum also has an exhibit on the 1960's that could be fun to check out.
Are you looking to unwind? There are a number of places you can sit with a book, listen to the river rumble by, or watch for wildlife and birds. Need a spa to rejuvenate you? There is a spa in town and quite a few massage therapists to choose from (they will even come to your hotel, motel, condo and give you a massage.)
While you are in town, there is an assortment of dining options to check out. From cafes to fine dining establishments. Some offer free live music so be sure to check out the local newspaper and flyer's posted around town to see what is going on during your visit.
Whatever you decide to do while visiting Estes Park, you are sure to enjoy yourselves- its a great get away destination for everyone!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Dear Just Be: I'm going on vacation this summer, what can I do to protect my home while I am away?
According to the FBI, more burglaries occur in July and August than in any other months of the year, the height of the vacation season. Start thinking ahead now to help safe guard your home while you are away.
1. If you have a newspaper delivered it is best if you can keep the delivery in service but have a dependable person pick up the paper each day so it looks like you are home. This is true with your mail service as well.
2. If you don't have a dependable friend, neighbor or family member who lives close that can help, consider stopping services while you are away.
3. Make sure your lawn is taken care of as well - watered and mowed/maintained. An unkempt yard is a a big sign no one is home.
4. Install timers in your outlets in your home for lamps to be plugged into. Set the timers to turn on and off at typical times you'd normally turn on lights. (Note daylight savings time changes at the early and late part of the year.)
5. Consider installing motion detector lights outside of your property. If that is not an option, perhaps solar powered lights that automatically come on when the suns goes down.
6. Alert trusted service professionals, such a swimming pool cleaners, that you will not be home during their regularly scheduled maintenance, or reschedule their services for when you return.
7. Before leaving, make sure all shrubs, trees are pruned so they do not hide windows that a burglar could use as cover if breaking in.
8. Lock all windows and doors securely- consider using a stick/rod inside window and patio door frames to keep them from being opened too much.
9. If expense is not a problem, consider installing a security system within your home.
10. Hire a personal assistant to watch over or stay at your property while you are gone. Nothing is better for security than actually having a trusted individual staying at your home, so it truly looks inhabited.
1. If you have a newspaper delivered it is best if you can keep the delivery in service but have a dependable person pick up the paper each day so it looks like you are home. This is true with your mail service as well.
2. If you don't have a dependable friend, neighbor or family member who lives close that can help, consider stopping services while you are away.
3. Make sure your lawn is taken care of as well - watered and mowed/maintained. An unkempt yard is a a big sign no one is home.
4. Install timers in your outlets in your home for lamps to be plugged into. Set the timers to turn on and off at typical times you'd normally turn on lights. (Note daylight savings time changes at the early and late part of the year.)
5. Consider installing motion detector lights outside of your property. If that is not an option, perhaps solar powered lights that automatically come on when the suns goes down.
6. Alert trusted service professionals, such a swimming pool cleaners, that you will not be home during their regularly scheduled maintenance, or reschedule their services for when you return.
7. Before leaving, make sure all shrubs, trees are pruned so they do not hide windows that a burglar could use as cover if breaking in.
8. Lock all windows and doors securely- consider using a stick/rod inside window and patio door frames to keep them from being opened too much.
9. If expense is not a problem, consider installing a security system within your home.
10. Hire a personal assistant to watch over or stay at your property while you are gone. Nothing is better for security than actually having a trusted individual staying at your home, so it truly looks inhabited.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Happy Memorial Day from Just Be
At Just Be we want to wish you a safe and relaxing Memorial Day. Take today to enjoy time with your family and friends and/or doing the activities you enjoy doing most. While you take the time to "Just Be" please recognize those that have served and died in the military service for our freedom.
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