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Original poster

The thread that could save a life

156 replies

SlightlyJaded · 28/05/2012 09:37

So I was really shocked at the terrible camping tragedy a few weeks ago where people died from carbon monoxide poisoning from the fumes given off by a disposable barbecue. It was a horribly sad but really shocking for me because I didn't know:

Disposable bbq's gave off carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide 'sinks' so you are most at danger at floor level
Tents do not offer enough ventilation to prevent it.

Then the other day a fireman told me that one of the biggest causes of fires these days are phone/laptop chargers plugged in but not connected to a device. I had no idea.

And when I did a first aid course when PFB DD1 was born, the St John Ambulance woman told me that if she had her way, balloons would be outlawed until children were around 8-10. Smaller children try to blow them up, they don't have the lungs for it and the balloon suddenly pings into the mouth/back of throat and no 'upside down/back banging/heimlich maneuver is ever going to shift them'. She said that the 999 emergency services operators always feel their hearts sink when someone calls up in a panic because a child has swallowed a balloon because it so often has a grim outcome.

My DC think I'm a bit mad about balloons now. But hey ho.

Please share more 'hidden dangers' that we might not all be aware of. Not to give us all the horrors but seriously, I wouldn't have thought twice about the disposable barbeque and it's really made me wonder if I am doing anything else stupid/dangerous.

OP posts:
givemushypeasachance · 28/05/2012 15:21

ROSPA Accidents to Children Advice

Scary stats in there - 58,000 children a year suffer accidents on stairs, a hot drink can still scald a child 15 minutes after being made, 500 children a year are admitted to hospital as a result of bath water scalds. It's not all scare tactics though, it has some excellent advice.

On a serious note - if your child needed it, would you want them to receive a blood transfusion? Or a donor organ that might be the only thing that can save their life?

Then do you give blood if you are eligible to? Are you on the donor register?

Think about it.

Darkling · 28/05/2012 15:26

I've heard the thing about air fresheners that plug in starting fires too (from an ex fireman at a fire marshal training course), a few faulty ones can overheat and explode apparently if left in for too long. He also said that inhaling the fumes from them is highly carcinogenic and they should be banned, I used to have one near the cat's litter tray but since DD arrived I won't even burn a scented candle in the house.

bonnieslilsister · 28/05/2012 15:28

Nappy bags are dangerous as are all plastic bags. I am getting scared reading all these posts and I will be a nervous wreck tonight before bed going round checking all charger plugs.....so many of them nowadays with ipods and kindles etc.

Does anyone know if it is ok to leave an ipod in a dock rather than a charger on charge?

Tinkerisdead · 28/05/2012 15:36

Hackmum i agree, even though i know the risks i'm always too scared to voice concerns. Its always a group of kids on the trampoline or worse my sil gets on with the three kids. That adult then renders the little kids at higher risk of injury but i darent be the one saying
'eeerrrrr thats actually quite dangerous' which is awful as my dd will be on there. As so many people have a trampoline and use them in that way i'm conscious of seemingly lecturing people.

becstarsky · 28/05/2012 15:44

Learn to spot stroke symptoms - here www.nhs.uk/Livewell/stroke/Pages/Strokesymptoms.aspx and here www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=symp
Years ago I was at a party with my sister where a woman was complaining about her husband being drunk, saying ?he said he?d only have two, now he?ll want me to drive him home etc.? He was acting like he was drunk ? he?d fallen over, then came around with slurred speech, seemed disoriented etc. I certainly assumed he was drunk at that point and it was a party so quite a natural assumption. But my sister is a doctor and she quickly went over and said ?Can you smile for me?? to him, then ?Can you lift up your arms for me?? then very quickly called for an ambulance. He hadn?t had any alcohol at all ? he?d just had a stroke, but he made a full recovery. (So proud of my sister I could burst, of course!)
The length of time before treatment starts makes a big difference both to whether you survive and your quality of life ? you?re losing brain function all the time with a stroke so speedy intervention makes a big difference.

MiseryBusiness · 28/05/2012 15:45

I am glad I've seen this thread. We do have a trampoline and 2 DC's that usually go on together. DD1 is 6 and DD2 is nearly 3 but quite small for her age so now I know she is at greater risk by going on with DC1 I will make sure they take it in turns.

Solo · 28/05/2012 15:46

Givemushypeasachance sadly, they wont take my blood (O rh neg) as I had a tx in 1998. Would love to give blood...I'm on the donor list, but I'm actually wondering if I'm allowed to be an organ donor if they won't take my blood Hmm.

confuzed90 · 28/05/2012 18:00

I have only just been and bought a new plug in air freshner today...damn.
I also have plug socket covers as of my 3 year old who loves sockets, even though he is able to remove the cover. However, I do consider them to be safe as the latch thing inside the plug socket will close again once the cover gets removed. I think they also prevent the temptation for children to stick things into the socket as they can't see the holes

runnindownadream · 28/05/2012 18:20

My dsis (who is a Mner) had a house fire which started in the middle of the night by the food processor. It was switched off but plugged in at the wall.

The ONLY thing which saved her and her husbands life was the smoke alarm. The fire service told her the most common fire hazard in the kitchen in the microwave as everyone tends to leave it plugged in for the time.

They move back home next weekend - 6 months after it happened (early Dec) and its been a rough journey but I shudder to think what would have been without that smoke alarm.

confuzed90 · 28/05/2012 18:33

My partner is an electrician runnindownadream and he said that something cant catch fire if its switched off at the socket.
That's scared me now as I leave things such as kitchen appliances and tele switched off at the plug socket but still plugged in

threeleftfeet · 28/05/2012 18:42

I had a hairdryer spontaneously start smoking once. The socket was on, but the hairdryer was switched off (lying on the floor) and it was about 10 minutes or so since I'd used it. Lots of smoke suddenly started coming out of it. I unplugged it and chucked it out the front door.

I'm so glad I was in, I hate to think what would have happened if I was out.

expatinscotland · 28/05/2012 18:45

Plug in air freshners are just rank. Safe your olfactory bulbs by not using them.

Taffeta · 28/05/2012 19:00

When DS was little I got back from food shopping with him screeching for a feed. I dumped the bags in the kitchen very quickly and sat on the sofa to bf him.

5 minutes later the smoke alarm went off. I walked out into the hall and there was a strip of smoke all the way along the hall at head height. I went into the kitchen and saw the fire, threw some water on it,called 999, got DS and legged it.

The fire crew were there in 5 minutes. I had dumped the shopping on top of the hob and in the process one of the heavier bags had switched on the gas. The shopping was on fire.

When the fireman had finished, they surveyed the hob area and told me to remove all the things by the side of it - utensils, kitchen roll etc, as they are all a fire hazard.

All obvious stuff but exactly the sort of thing that flees your mind when you have little ones and are sleep deprived.

bunnynose · 28/05/2012 20:36

For those of you who want to know why socket covers can be dangerous, have a look at this website and watch the videos:

www.fatallyflawed.org.uk

SkinnyVanillaLatte · 28/05/2012 20:47

I came home to my tumble drier smoking once - have never since run it if out or in bed.

Brilliant thread - didn't know that about chargers.

SkinnyVanillaLatte · 28/05/2012 20:51

Crystal items on windowsills can magnify the sunlight to a small point and cause a fire,I believe.

LollipopViolet · 28/05/2012 21:21

I implore all parents, as far as possible, to buy their baby/toddler a seat on flights when going on holiday.

Doing some research for a uni project, I got lost in the internet, as you do, and stumbled upon a forum for pilots/cabin crew. Being nosey, I had a read, and one thread was asking people's opinions on so called "lap children" i.e; kids sharing a seat with a parent.

A lot seemed to be really against it, so I did some more digging, as I was curious as to why airlines allow it if it's so bad.

This is an article explaining some of the reasons: clicky

And this is the article that the previous link cites on occasion:

From a member of cabin crew

I realize, not everyone can afford to buy their DC's a seat, but if it's something you could comfortably afford, please consider it. There are few aircraft accidents, but there are aborted takeoffs, and there are rough landings.

RumpledTitSkin · 28/05/2012 21:30

I have a few that I'm a bit anal about;

Trampolines. Still suffer with my back from a bounce gone wrong 30 years ago.

Grapes and all choky possibilities.

Closing doors at bedtime. Would stop smoke spreading if there was a fire.

Having a mobile phone upstairs.

Unplugging everything I can reach at bedtime.

Checking there are no fingers in the car doors before I shut them.

I have hundreds more Blush

I had no idea about the drowning thing, that's terrifying.

RumpledTitSkin · 28/05/2012 21:32

Oh, and for god's sake, do not ever chuck a wet towel on a chip pan fire. Sorry, just read that further down. Recipe for explosion.

hiddenhome · 28/05/2012 21:37

Watch out for cyclists on roundabouts. I've nearly hit two this week, just by not seeing them. Too busy watching out for cars, but not cyclists. It must be the hot weather and more people cycling these days.

NannyPlumIsMyMum · 28/05/2012 21:38

YYY to insancerre -
Please read the website Fatally Flawed wrt socket covers - sockets are far safer without covers

Sidge · 28/05/2012 21:38

Please please PLEASE do a first aid course, including basic life support. I truly believe that everyone should know basic first aid especially if you're a parent.

And get smoke alarms. They are one of the most valuable things you can ever buy.

NannyPlumIsMyMum · 28/05/2012 21:40

Sorry bunnynose you already linked.

Holidaymaker · 28/05/2012 21:48

Marshmallows. If someone chokes on a marshmallow it is virtually impossible to get it out by either the back slap or heimlich. As they are soft to start with, once in the mouth the moisture makes them swell.

It is the only food I have never allowed my child to eat as I consider them lethal.