Keeping Crawlers Safe

Infants begin crawling at about the age of 8 months. They are just outgrowing the totally dependent stage and are developing some self confidence. They realize that with some effort, they can go places and get what they want. Although this stage of development does not last long, it is the most vital when it comes to safety in the home. According to the Children's Memorial Hospital, there are approximately 37 children's deaths each day in the United States due to household issues.

It is every parent's nightmare to find their child severely injured or ill due to a thoughtless action. Childproofing is not a simple task and must be done when the infant begins rolling over and scooting. The floor is really the safest place to put children at this age, as they will roll off of beds and sofas, and may even tip over infant seats. In order to get a full picture of what the crawler is faced with, the adult needs to get down on their level.

• Cleanliness - floors should be swept, mopped, vacuumed, and disinfected regularly. Crawlers will put anything they find in their mouth and can easily choke.
• Temperature - heat rises, therefore the floor is usually the coldest place in the house. Set a thermometer on the floor overnight to find out just what the temperature is and adjust the crawler's clothing accordingly.
• Electrical cords - keep them out of site when and where possible. Put them behind the sofa or bed. Avoid hanging cords from end tables and desks. Cover outlets with childproof covers. When crawlers come near cords, distract them elsewhere with other items of interest. If the crawler is burned, run cold water over the area of the skin. For burns that penetrate the skin, cover with ice and obtain medical assistance as soon as possible.
• Breakable items - put knick knacks, vases, glasses, and other items that are breakable out of reach. Keep small shelf systems that can easily fall over away from where the crawler plays. Should they break something and cut themselves, elevate the bleeding extremity and put pressure on the wound. If bleeding persists, get medical attention.
• Plants - children love to play in the dirt. Plants need to be put where the crawler cannot have access to them. Some houseplants may be poisionous. Should the crawler bite off a leaf, poison control should be contacted (1-800-222-1222). Eating the dirt is not considered a danger unless it is filled with chemical fertilizers and insect sprays.

• Shoes - shoes will be chewed, smelled, and licked by the crawler if they are available. Shoelaces, eyelets, and velcro are a choking hazard. Put shoes in the closet for safe keeping. Ingestion of polish, leather, or plastic may require contact of poision control.
• Chairs - crawlers will try to pull themselves up on chairs. Make sure that chairs are stable and will not tip or fold if pulled on. Avoid the use of table cloths, try placemats instead.
• Electronic devices - keep cell phones, regular phones, and other electronic devises off of floors, sofas, and corner tables. They will be put in the mouth. Wet saliva on batteries may cause them to emit acid.
• Household chemicals - put them where crawlers cannot see or reach them.
• Medications - keep them off of corner tables, night stands, or other places within the crawler's grasp. Their curiosity will get the best of them and they will touch and taste. Call poison control immediately if medications are injested by children.

The time it takes to childproof your home will be well worth your while in terms of keeping your crawler safet. Constant supervision is a must, as we don't know what they will get into next! Diverting their attention to a place that is prepared for their specific enjoyment is a great way to keep them safe, and you happy!