Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/139497
On the Road and in the Home, Parents can Reduce Baby Hazards Home safe home: From batteries to big-screen TV's, baby dangers lurk Most everyone knows that babies and tiny treasures don't mix. That's because nearly everything these little pirates' hands discover have preferred hiding places: the mouth or nose. So to prevent injury, parents need to go on their own scavenger hunt before their little mateys hit the ground crawling. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in the under-19 age group, with suffocation, drowning and poisoning responsible for a large number of the non-motor-vehicle-related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Babies can choke and suffocate on anything that's smaller than the circumference of the inside of a toiletpaper roll, says Tracey Holmberg, trauma injury prevention coordinator for Swedish Medical Center. And two items increasingly infiltrating homes in this technological age are creating serious issues with infants and toddlers: magnets and batteries. "Button batteries are a big problem, and they're everywhere," Holmberg says of the round, flat batteries in everything from remote controls and cameras to hearing aids and watches. They are tiny, shiny, and dangerous, as they can result in a damaging chemical reaction when ingested, burning baby's esophagus or nose. Tape all battery compartments shut or keep them out of reach of tiny hands. Magnets, which can be small and powerful (such as the ball magnets in the original and now-recalled Magnetix building sets), are most dangerous when two or more are swallowed. Because of the magnetic attraction, they can attach to the intestines, causing obstructions or perforations. Both batteries and magnets are potentially deadly for infants and can cause serious damage requiring major surgery. 50 Expert highlights other household dangers for baby: Cords in baby's reach: Can cause suffocation or injury from pulled-over items. Wrap all window-blind cords, and keep cribs away from windows. Water in tubs, toilets, or buckets: Can result in drowning, even in 1 inch of water. Never leave an infant or child unsupervised for even one minute near or in water; the telephone can wait, Holmberg says. Large, unsecured items: Can crush children. Bookcases, dressers, and TVs should be secured to the wall, says Holmberg, who adds that there has been a rise in injuries from easily-tipped-over, big-screen TVs. Medications and household cleaners, etc.: Can cause poisoning. Never leave pills out for even a few minutes, lock all cabinets, and store poisons up and away from children, Holmberg says. Call Holmberg for more information at 303-788-5358 or visit www.cpsc.gov for recalls and other safety information.