Here’s me and my little man last New Year’s Eve.
Happy New Year! from Jordan Reid on Vimeo.
It was a simpler time. A time when the idea of rolling over was still just a twinkle in his eye, fingers had yet to be found, and outlet covers had yet to be purchased.
This year’s a little different. Our son leapfrogged from hesitant toddling to full-on sprinting, sending us straight to Toys ‘R’ Us in full Parent Panic Attack mode for babyproofing supplies. The beginning of our son’s baby reign of terror has unfortunately coincided with the holiday season – notoriously one of the most hazardous times of the year for children – and so I asked baby safety expert James Hirtenstein (who you’ll also spot in an upcoming JITH segment) for his top seasonal safety tips for those hosting child-inclusive festivities.
1. Having a ton of kids in your space at one time – especially children who may not have been there before – significantly ups the ante for safety hazards. Re-baby proof by taking a pass around your home from a baby’s eye level, a toddler’s eye level, and then a curious older child’s eye level. Fix or remove whatever enticing and/or dangerous things you discover.
2. During the festivities, commit to taking a few minutes every once in awhile to look around for new hazards that may have arisen (such as unattended drinks, moved candles, knives, and hot burners).
3. Consider hiring a sitter who can give the children his or her undivided attention and keep them entertained with crafts and games.
4. Watch out for small-sized snacks that could be a choking hazard or alcoholic beverages set on low-lying tables (you can add Post-It reminders to accessible areas if need be).
5. Make sure that all doors to the outside/pool/stairways are securely shut, and put signs on doors that must remain shut for the duration of the party to alert wayward guests.
6. If kids will be opening toys at the party, store the toys in a designated location and make sure to keep more advanced toys (which may have small parts that present a choking hazard) away from littler fingers. (Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long.)
For more information (or if you’re in the NYC area and are looking for a consultation), head over to the Baby Safe America site.
