The first advice for any parent is to be prepared, and that includes knowledge and training (CPR, etc.), as well as having the proper resources on hand. cbd oil Canada reviews In this case, a well-stocked First-Aid Kit for your home and car. Here are some of the items such a kit might include – and do be sure to keep said kit out of the reach of curious young hands!

1. Alcohol wipes
2. Bandages
3. Gauze pads/roll of gauze
4. Adhesive tape
5. Scissors, tweezers, thermometer
6. Antibacterial ointment
7. Hydrocortisone and/or itch-relief cream
8. Cold pack
9. Hand sanitizer
10. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
11. Aloe vera gel

Next, especially in the case of toddlers and small children, you’ll want to accident-proof your home (and your routines) as much as possible. Let’s do this by looking at areas of the house where many accidents occur.

1. Bathroom and bathtub. Even though most parents don’t typically leave their young kids alone in the tub, more than half of infant drownings occur in the bathroom. In as little as two minutes, a child can lose consciousness underwater. Irreversible brain damage can occur within four minutes. One of the biggest culprits in bathtub drownings is bath seats or rings. Parents believe such seats will hold a child, but such seats and rings are NOT safety devices. The suction cups at the bottom can come loose, causing a child to tip over. And a baby can even slip through the leg openings. That means parents should never leave small children unattended in the tub. Also, be sure to get safety latches for all toilets and empty any containers that collect water. Also in the bathroom, keep items such as razors, cosmetics, scissors, cotton balls/swabs, cleaning solutions, and medicines in a locked cabinet or drawer.

2. In the dining room. Food accounts for most child choking emergencies. The most common culprits are small, hard, round, gummy foods (nuts, grapes, hard or gummy candies, popcorn, carrots, seeds, marshmallows, taffy/caramel, hot dogs, etc.) that can easily block the airway. To help prevent choking, cut all foods into small pieces and make sure your kids are seated while eating. Teach them to take small bites and chew food slowly and thoroughly. Avoid small, round, hard or gummy foods.

3. Doors. Think of everything in your neighbourhood (pools, traffic, dogs, etc.) that could harm your small child if he/she gets outside the house when you’re distracted for even a moment. One way to prevent this is to have alarms/chimes that sound whenever they’re opened to alert you to a child slipping out of the house. Also consider four-wall fencing on your property, as well as asking neighbours with pools or other potentially dangerous items to also keep their gates/fences locked.

4. In the family room/home office, elsewhere. Routinely check under sofas and cushions for loose change and other choking hazards. Avoid displaying artificial fruit, as toddlers can often mistake it for the real thing. Also avoid items such as potpourri and arrangements that have small rocks or marbles or anything else that can be swallowed (don’t forget the rubber door stoppers). Cut or tie window-blind cords to prevent strangulation. Secure bookcases and other furniture that a small child could topple, and consider only furniture with rounded edges (or cover sharp edges with cushioning). Hide/secure electrical cords and power strips behind furniture (never under carpeting), and cover up any exposed electrical outlets with screw-on covers or cap plugs. Also keep office supplies where your child can’t get to them.

5. In the kitchen. Refrigerator magnets should be high enough to be out of reach. Make sure to lock the door of the dishwasher, oven, washer and dryer or any other appliance/cupboard your child might get into. Knives should be kept away from the countertop edges, pot handles should be turned away from the front when cooking, and all cleaners, plastics, foils, bags, wastebaskets/garbage containers, etc. should be locked up. Also consider unplugging small appliances when not in use.

6. Away from home. When you first arrive, scan the area for anything that could be a problem and move them or hide them from your small child. If you plan to stay awhile, consider bringing your own crib, outlet cap plugs, cabinet locks and latches, tub mats, etc. Also be aware that some bathroom doors can be locked from the inside, so consider hanging a towel over the top of the door to prevent a child locking him/herself in.