Microwave and fridge bacteria

Did you know that if you don’t clean your microwave after every use you could be cross-contaminating other foods/drinks? Your microwave is one of the safest places to defrost frozen foods, but it might not be safe afterwards. Think about it: If you thaw meat in the microwave, and some meat juice drips down or splatters on the wall. Anything you put in there afterwards could be cross-contaminated by the uncooked meat juice. Clean your microwave with a sanitizing wipe or light detergent after…

Things you can do to childproof your home at no cost

The first and greatest task you can begin with, is to go around your home on your hands and knees and starting at the front door. Work your way through the house, room by room, searching for everything that could be a hazard to your baby/toddler. Turn down the temperature of your geyser to avoid accidental scalding when the hot taps are turned on. Either purchase a new crib or make sure that the inheritted crib you are using conforms to the most recent…

Public awareness with your little ones – am I too paranoid?

Are you being paranoid or prepared? While you can control who comes in and out of your home, public spaces are very different. There are so many corners and small spaces that your child slip past and through and out of your site. Public places like shopping malls, restaurants, grocery stores, carnivals, festivals, markets and childrens venues can often be overwhelming and full of unfamiliar people. It’s not ideal or fun to have to literally push through people to move forward with a child…

Childproofing the bathroom

Is there really anything in the bathroom that you want your child to access without your supervision? The most simple solution that works for most bathroom doors is a hook-and-eye or safety chain lock. If you mount the lock well above a child’s reach, unsupervised entry into the bathroom is just about impossible. Only ever let your baby in the bathroom when you are around to make sure he/she is safe. Try to establish this routine. Never leave your little one alone in the…

Childproofing the Kitchen

Can you believe our homely smelling kitchens are one of the most dangerous rooms in the house? It really requires particular attention. From hot stoves and ovens we constantly tell our kids not to go near, to bubbling and boiling kettles, ceramic dishes that may break, the kitchen is a minefield for inquisitive little explorers. The good news is that there are products on the market that can give moms & dads more peace of mind when it comes to this vital area. Make…

Childproofing the nursery

Baby-proofing your home for new arrivals can be quite daunting. Your little one might spend a lot of the time sleeping initially, but they’ll soon hit a time where curiousity takes over, and they’ll want to climb on and explore everything possible including poking their tiny fingers into dangerous places. The best advise is start as early as possible to allow time for you to make adjustments as your baby’s mobility develops. Nursery & Playroom Check List: Prevent Window Falls. Place your child’s cot…

Child proofing the living areas around your home

Although there are a few grace months before your baby starts moving around on her own, you’ll need to tackle a few child proofing tasks in the meantime to keep you and your newborn safe. If you can think about anything from shaky furniture pieces to slippery floors that could hurt you while you have baby in your arms. If you think you’re prepared, have an extra look around your home as there have been studies that showed when first-time mothers of children aged 1 to…

Burn Prevention: Protect your child from burns

We all want to keep our children safe and secure and help them grow to live to their full potential. Knowing how to prevent leading causes of child burns, is key to achieving this goal. Every day, over 300 children ages 0 to 19 are treated in emergency rooms for burn-related injuries and two children die as a result of being burned. Burn safety is a foreign concept to most young explorers. One of the most difficult lessons young children learn is that some…

Tips for a safe summer

Whether your kids are home for summer or on the road with you, use these tips to keep your family safe and healthy. Fun in the Sun Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of the direct sunlight. Move your baby to the shade or under a tree, umbrella, or the pram canopy. Dress babies in lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs and use brimmed hats. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days.…

What to do when your baby or toddler has gastro

If your child suddenly has an attack of diarrhea and vomiting, and they complain of a stomachache is usually points to an Gastroenteritis infection. Gastro infections are caused by a virus or bacteria and your child should pass it in about 2-5 days without medication. The first few days seem to be the worst, but you can take certain steps to help your child get through it. Gastroenteritis is a common illness and has definitely been doing the rounds more recently this summer. The…

What to do if your child ingests poison

Many children unintentionally swallow, drink or eat poisonous products when they mistake them for edible foodstuff. What do you do if your child ingests poison? There are other ways poison can also enter a childs body, such as by breathing, injection, venomous bites or stings, or touching enough of a substance that could cause illness or death. Babies naturally explore their new world by putting everything they can into their mouths. This is how they learn. Young children are also still exploring and experiment by tasting all…

Toddler lunchbox ideas – back to school

“I am not afraid. I was born to do this.” – Joan of Arc It’s almost back to school time and you’re probably wondering “how do I get back into the routine and daily lunchboxes?” Try to make lunch a mix of foods that are tasty, healthy, easy to chew, and tried before. They shouldn’t be too difficult to chew and cut everything into toddler sized pieces that are easy to handle. Remember to ask for feedback on what your child liked or disliked…