Q&A

Q. How did you get started in the child safety business?

A. I have always been interested in children’s issues. As a mother of three and former child care provider, I was intimately aware of the myriad of potential dangers children face everyday. There are many organizations doing great work to prevent tragedies such as child abuse and neglect, but one day I uncovered some startling data on the number of accidental injuries and deaths that take place in the home each year. I decided this would be my charge. So I contacted the International Association for Child Safety and began training. Six months later I founded Safe Start Baby.

Q. What are some of the most common household accidents involving babies and toddlers?

A. According to the Home Safety Council’s 2004 State of Home Safety Report (www.homesafetycouncil.org), the top five leading causes of unintentional home injury death in children under age five are burns, choking or suffocation, drowning or submersion, firearms, and poisoning. Leading causes of nonfatal injury among children under age five are falls, poisoning, and being struck by or striking against an object (such as the corner of a table).

Q. What should a parent or caregiver do to get started when babyproofing their home?

A. I always tell parents to put themselves at their child’s vantage point, by getting down on their hands and knees and look at all the “exciting” (read: potentially dangerous) things that exist around the home. When you look at your home from your child’s perspective you realize that Pine Sol can be like apple juice, electrical outlets make great hiding places for small items, stairs are like a “bumpy ride”, and the toilet is like a swimming pool for babies!

Q. When should a new parent start thinking about childproofing?

A. The time to think about childproofing is well before the child starts to crawl. Once the crawling begins, we find that parents and caregivers are amazed at how quickly a short scoot across the rug turns into all-out crawling, climbing, and exploring. If the house is already prepared for those curious little hands and fingers, it makes the job of the parent much easier.

Q. What does Safe Start Baby offer to help parents and caregivers?

A. We offer in-home safety assessments, Red Cross CPR and First-Aid training, safety products, and professional product installation.

Q. If someone contacts Safe Start regarding childproofing, what is the first step you take?

A. Our first step involves a thorough in-home safety assessment where we evaluate each room of the house and recommend safety measures that should be taken. Typically, we find many things that can be done to enhance safety with no expense and other areas that require the purchase and installation of products such as locks, latches, or gates.