A Not-So-Shocking Recall

Here is a product recall that deserves its own "What the Freak?" post. After 16 reports of injuries including 14 fractures to arms and legs, one fractured collar bone and one bruised spleen, the CPSC recalled the Landscape Structures Children's Slide due to fall hazard.

Are we really surprised? What is truly concerning is that many of the slides were purchased by schools. I'm curious to know what reputable school looked at this product and thought, "a 6' high slide without sides...let's buy it!"

They say a picture tells a thousand words and it certainly does in these photos:

"Take the damn picture and get me down from here!"

"I'm still alive, I'm still alive!"

Eco-Safety for Your Family

An important element of keeping your child safe in your home – besides the baby gates, drawer latches, and outlet covers – is to consider the whole of the environment in which you live. What products do you clean with? What materials are used throughout your child’s main play area? Some of the unhealthiest elements in your home come from the most unexpected of sources. So here are three of the smartest ways you can play it eco-safe in your home while your children play, play, play the days away.

Don’t tread on me
Sure, you know that carpeting latches onto dirt, debris, and heaven knows what else you’ve picked up on your shoes, but there are other reasons to be wary of the soft stuff. Mainly, allergy causing compounds. Consider alternatives like natural linoleum which is long-lasting or cork which resists moisture and – bonus! – absorbs sound. If you just don’t have the cash or inclination to tear up and lay down new flooring, vacuum as often as you can and deep clean regularly with child-safe cleaners.

Freshen up by the gallon
Paint releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If you’re splashing on a new coat of paint to spruce up the playroom, opening the windows and inviting in some fresh air isn’t enough to play it safe. You can be eco-friendly throughout your entire home by using low- or no-VOC paint – it’s free of lead, mercury, cadmium, and other harmful, nasty chemicals. It will even make the job of painting that much more enjoyable – you’ll notice the greatly reduced paint odor.

If I had a hammer
Need to increase the organization in the kids’ rooms? Consider investing in some built-ins for two reasons. One, mass market cabinetry pieces are often made with particleboard and medium density fiberboard – and along with these ingredients come formaldehyde adhesives and other carcinogens. Two, built-ins are a huge space-saver, and they’re built-in safety as well. If your little climber starts moving on up, those sturdily installed shelves won’t come toppling over. If you prefer freestanding furniture, opt for solid wood, and don’t you dare neglect to add furniture straps for adequate babyproofing!

It isn’t complicated to be eco-friendly. Just make a habit of thinking one step ahead – every little effort can make a difference in the health of your home and family. Leave your shoes by the front door. Vacuum often. Wipe surfaces regularly with a damp cloth. Open the windows at every opportunity (but be sure your window guards and locks are in place), and use smart, dimmable lighting when natural light is in short supply.

From Crib to Bed

When Is the Right Time to Move from Crib to Bed?
This morning you discovered your toddler happily playing on the floor of his room – but you didn’t put him there. He found his way out of the crib on his own! Now what?

You can attempt to reason with your child and ask him to show you exactly how he climbed out of the crib. You could set up a hidden camera to try and catch him in the act. Or you could stay glued to your video monitor hoping to see the drama unfold.

The bottom line is this, if your child is managing to climb out of the crib, it’s time to figure out how to make it harder for him, or it’s time to transition to a toddler bed.

What’s the right age?

Most kids transition to a bed between the ages of 1 ½ to 3 ½ years old. However, you want to avoid making this move too soon. There are no bragging rights for parents whose kids move from crib to bed at a very early age – too much independence for a toddler can spell danger and disaster. 

Crib precautions

If you want to keep your little one in that crib a bit longer, determine whether you’ve maximized this piece of furniture’s potential. Is the crib mattress in the lowest position? A two-and-a-half-foot tall toddler would be challenged to have enough strength and momentum to launch himself out of a crib that’s on the bottom setting. 

Bare is best in the crib when possible. However if your child has a can’t-live-without blanket or stuffed animal limit the quantity. If there are dozens of toys that can be stacked to make a crib escape route, you can guarantee your wily toddler will figure out how to create a handy staircase for himself to get up, over, and out of that crib.

A crib net is an option to prolong the inevitable, but if this idea or the thought of a crib tent makes you uneasy, it may be time to transition your explorer to a toddler bed.

Bed precautions

Your little baby is growing up and moving on to a bed, but you need to consider a host of new hazards before you allow yourself to tear up over this milestone.

Your busy baby is used to having a barrier to prevent them from going over the edge of their sleep area. Attach bed rails to the sides of your child’s bed so that they are less likely to fall out. 

Room precautions

No more crib means your child will have more time to roam freely and unattended in his room. Make sure that nursery is babyproofed to the max. Here’s a quick list of babyproofing must-haves: cordless blinds, window guards, furniture straps, wire covers, and outlet covers. Make sure all diaper creams, lotions, oils, baby Tylenol, nail clippers, and other sharp or potentially poisonous items are moved out of the nursery or secured in a locked container.

Finally, consider installing a baby gate in the doorway to your child’s room. The bedroom door isn’t enough to keep them from roaming out of the room into the rest of the house – if they could climb out of the crib, they will quickly master the doorknob, if they haven’t already. You don’t want them locking themselves in either so change the doorknob to one that does not lock, or install a door mouse to avoid pinched fingers or accidentally locked doors.

Child Proofing for Modern Decor

You’re a parent, but that doesn’t mean you’re a slob (well, at least not intentionally). It’s normal to want your house to have some semblance of a grown-up feel without looking like a war zone or padded cell, even if you have little ones crawling around earnestly. So here are suggestions for child proofing with style. In other words – nothing fugly, all fabulous.

Kidco Angle Mount Gate

Barrier Beauties 
Does the thought of white metal baby gates clashing with your stately hallways and doorways make you cringe? No worries – there are plenty of options to blend with your aesthetic. The Beechwood Angle-Mount Safeway gate has a lovely light wood color that will seamlessly merge with your banisters. And KidCo’s architectural line of baby gates is designed to add a little flair to an otherwise nondescript baby barrier.

Hot... and Not Hot
That gorgeous, expensive (heavy, sharp) fireplace screen you spent months searching for isn’t exactly kid-friendly. Do you have to get rid of it? Not necessarily. The HearthGate is a handsome addition to any home’s décor. Plus, it does triple duty: protecting your child from that fireplace screen, the fire itself, and the hard, rough hearth. (Though we also recommend anchoring your screen for added protection.)

Kidco Magnetic Lock

Invisible Baby Proofing
The Mag Lock eliminates the ugly when baby proofing cabinets – plus, there’s really nothing for your child to see or want to investigate. And the Kids Shield covers your banisters and balconies almost invisibly – safety, without looking obnoxious and obvious. A plus for your décor, and a deterrent to your kid’s curiosity.

Hiding The Heinous

Some babyproofing products actually make your house look better by concealing the things everyone finds distasteful – a mess of wires and cords from computers and appliances. Check out the Power Strip Safety Cover and Cord Control Kit.

Rest assured, you can keep your child safe while also keeping your house looking presentable. However, when push comes to shove (and your toddler will be pushing and shoving things, people, pets), always protect your child before worrying about the paint on your walls or holes that need to be drilled into your furniture, even if that particular babyproofing item only comes in fugly.