Got a question on baby and toddler safety around the home? Qualified nurse and First Aid Trainer Emma Hammett answers your questions - £200 voucher to be won

[GraceEMumsnet]

Created for Duracell

- Everyone who shares a question on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw
- One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice
- Emma will be back to answer a selection of your questions

About Emma:
“Emma Hammett is a qualified nurse and award-winning first aid trainer with over 30 years’ healthcare and teaching experience. Emma is the founder of multi award-winning First Aid for Life and Onlinefirstaid.com, providing practical and online courses throughout the UK. She is an acknowledged First Aid expert and authority on accident prevention, health and first aid. Emma writes for numerous online and print publications and regularly features on the radio and on TV. She is also the author of numerous books, including the Amazon Best Seller: ]].”

Here’s what Emma has to say:
“As parents we will do everything possible to protect our children and keep them safe. However, many people are unaware of the serious dangers posed by lithium coin cell (button) batteries if swallowed. Every year, numerous children experience life-changing injuries from swallowing these, and horrifically some die because of them. This is totally avoidable. Which is why I am delighted to be supporting Duracell in raising awareness of this issue and preventing this happening in the first place. Duracell already uniquely has child resistant packaging and coats their batteries in Bitrex to prevent children from putting them in their mouths - this campaign goes one step further.

#Take10 encourages all parents and child carers to take 10 minutes to identify which gadgets are using these batteries, ensure they are safely secured and remove any unsecured batteries and spare ones out of reach. This is a vital campaign that will undoubtedly save lives and suffering. Please share with friends and family.”

Maybe you’d like to know how to child-proof your kitchen? Or you might have concerns around toys and devices in the home? Perhaps you’re unclear of the risks batteries hold for children? Whatever your question, post on the thread below for Emma to answer.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

How dangerous can falling out of bed be? I was too scared to remove my son’s bed rail until he was about 8 because I tried when he was 5 and went to check on him to find him about to fall straight on his head and it looked like he would break his neck. Was I being over cautious? Is it impossible for a child to injure themselves that badly by falling out of bed because they’re aleep so therefore relaxed?

Are there any good first aid tip videos? Something that covers the basics of common household injuries/accidents.

I would love to have something simple to refer to and to send on to grandparents. First aid recommendations change, DH and I were looking at the new CPR guidance yesterday and I know they changed nosebleeds to leaning forward instead of back. It’d be good for everyone involved in DS’ childcare to be on the same page.

How far away from the radiator does a newborn baby's cot/Moses basket need to be? Struggling in quite a cramped room...

Do plugged in phone or laptop chargers pose a danger to toddlers? My DD likes to grab hold of the wires. I try to hide them under the sofa but she'll sometimes pull them out. Am I right to take them away from her?

Thanks so much for all of the questions! We're reviewing them all now and will be back online to answer some of them in the next few days.

What kind of things do I need for my first aid box these days? Its been 24 years since my first baby, and now I am starting all over again lol. I have forgotten it all! x

What should I do if I think a child has swallowed a lithium cell battery? Are other types of batteries dangerous to small children?

Thank you to all of you, for all these superb questions. As parents we all want to do our very best to keep our children safe. It is also important to know how to help if things go wrong. I will try and answer all your concerns and do hope you find my responses helpful. Best wishes Emma Hammett RGN

@BristolMum96

Is there a gadget to stop toddler shutting their fingers in doors?!

There are loads of different options to prevent doors slamming. As the other Mumsnetter suggested, Amazon have a great range as do JoJoMaman Bebe and other baby shops. I would always encourage you to use these, or tie a cloth around the door handle. If your child does get their fingers caught in a door, you can read more information here.

@ImJustMum

Is there a need to cover plug sockets anymore? Ive recently seen the plug in guards actually do more harm than good and arent required but DD has taken an interest in flicking the switches constantly and im waiting for her to realise she could prod something in there

Please don't cover sockets with any of the pronged covers. The UK sockets are actually pretty well protected. Using the covers with prongs, can damage the mechanism and consequently leave the sockets more dangerous and vulnerable once they are removed. There are some newer covers that don't interfere with the mechanism and so don't damage the UK socket. However, the general advice is that you shouldn't need to cover sockets in the UK. You can read more information here.

@Syeknom

What is the safest way to deal with gro clock/ nightlight/ monitor wires in a child's bedroom once they are no longer contained in a cot and in their own bed?

Try and buy wireless products whenever possible, but ensure that batteries are securely screwed in place in any device that you buy. Try and secure wires out of reach, they can be nailed alongside door frames with specific wire retaining nails, or fed under a carpet. The most important thing is that they do not pose a strangulation risk.

@Nifedipine

Are there any safety issues with having older toddlers (3+) still in a cotbed with side bars attached?

Cot bars should be vertical; if they are horizontal your baby could use them as a ladder to climb out. Also, the distance between the bars should be no more than 6.5cm apart so your baby can't get stuck between the bars of the cot. The danger for an older child still being in a bed with cot bars, is that they may try and climb over them, which could result in a worse injury than falling out of a low bed.

@FuggyPidding

Should we use plug socket covers? An electrician once said they are more dangerous than not using them...

I agree with your electrician. I have answered a similar message earlier. Please don't insert any socket covers into the pin points as these can damage the mechanism and make the sockets more dangerous. UK socket covers are pretty well protected, however always be aware that children are ingenious and can manage to do the strangest things - always discourage them from probing any sockets. More information can be found in the article below:

@lovemyflipflops

What are your views on playdough - and what should I do if one of mine eats any ? We have the this on the christmas list - but I am in two minds as to whether santa should bring this ?

Home made Playdough is fun to make together and you then know exactly what is in it. The issue with the home made stuff is that it usually contains large amounts of salt as a preservative - this is not good for your little ones. Commercial Playdough from quality manufacturers will be non-toxic. However none of this is good for your child to eat. If your child eats a small amount, unless they are allergic to any of the ingredients, it is unlikely to do them any harm at all. However, children should always be closely supervised when playing with such things as it can also pose a choking risk. Millions of children enjoy playing with dough of all kinds without adverse incidents - it is a fun and educational way to play. Do this together, keep an eye on them and enjoy. They can also have just as much fun helping you cook with some pastry!

@Thack

What are the essentials for my first aid box? Is there any odd 'must have' that I wouldn't have thought of?

The most important aspect in your first aid box is that the contents are clean, of good quality and in good condition and that you know how to give prompt and appropriate first aid. Understand what to do and can recognise when something is serioiusly wrong and you need additional help. Undertake a quality online or practical first aid course to ensure you have these skills. Within the kit you should have something to cope with bleeding - some dressings, a triangular bandage. Something to clean a wound. Never keep medication in a first aid kit. For more information as to what I suggest should go into a first aid kit please visit the following: firstaidforlife.org.uk/what-put-in-first-aid-kit/

@LittleDeeAndME

DS1 is 2 and DS1 is 5 and can open the safety gate - when my back is turned - and off up the stairs DS2 went - no falls this time - any ideas how to child proof safety gates which an older child can figure out ?

Once a child can master a stair gate, it is time to teach them to be safe on the stairs. Show them how to safely come downstairs backwards on their stomachs. Ensure they don't go down the stairs on their own until you are confident that they understand the dangers and are happy slithering down feet first on their stomachs. Make it fun learning this, but ensure they are aware that this is the safest way and the way you need them to come downstairs on their own. Until they are completely safe and older, they should only be walking down the stairs holding the banisters and an adult's hand.

@Montydoo

Any ideas for sliding wardrobe doors - mine are high and heavy - I worry about bodies being between the doors when they are closed to - I try to watch mine 24/7 - and have safety gates top and bottom - but this is an irrational fear of mine

Teach your children about the dangers. They should not be playing in wardrobes and if you don't feel they are safe, they probably aren't! Trust your instincts. For other heavy furniture and particularly chest of drawers - buy the restraining straps and secure them to the wall. With drawers in particular, when the drawers are pulled out, the furniture becomes extremely unstable.

@pushchairprincess

What is the treatment for burns - I have a terrifying fear of scalding - I know basic first aid - cold water, clothing on or off ?? how to treat when you have immersed the area in cold water - when to go to A and E ?

Of all the first aid incidents I come across, burns scare me the most too. The consequences are extremely painful and can be long-lasting. More than 500 children every week are taken to hospital because of burns and scalds. Ensure you are aware of some of the most common causes of childhood burns - hot drinks, straightening tongs, irons, cooking pans, kettles, bathwater, dishwasher tablets and liquitabs, button batteries... Always fill the bath with cold water first and ideally have thermostatically controlled taps. Turn off heated towel rails whilst your children are small. If your child is burned - run the affected area under cool running water for a full 20 minutes. If the burned area is larger than a 50p piece and is blistered or has lost skin, call an ambulance. Keep cooling the burn, whilst keeping the rest of the child warm and dry. firstaidforlife.org.uk/burns-the-best-advice-for-treating-a-burn All Children's burns should be assessed and dressed by a health professional.

@Danikm151

How do you treat bumps and bruises to the forehead. Cold compress i’m aware of but my toddler has a thing for running into obstacles full force(door/toybox/other people)

Children are head heavy, oblivious to danger and run around without any concept of risk. Therefore they will bang their heads. Most of these will be superficial injuries and a wrapped icepack will reduce surface bruising and swelling. It is important to understand when a head injury could be more serious and what to look out for following a bump on the head firstaidforlife.org.uk/minor-head-injuries-and-nosebleeds/

@janifer

How do you bring up children to instinctively behave safely and respectfully of their surroundings?

I recently read a mag article about an artist and the photographs were taken in his gorgeous old house. Beautiful furniture and tons of indoor plants in huge pots. Hah! I thought. Kid-free zone for sure - but no, they have a four year old.

Children need to be allowed to relax, explore and have fun. They should have space they are comfortable in and be able to be themselves. I expect that magazine article had been beautifully prepped and dressed and is not a true representation of their real life. They probably had a great garden and child friendly area too!

@KeyboardWorriers

Something that always worries me isYhr circular blind cords. We lived in a rented house so couldn't get rid of them. I tied them up high but I wonder if there is a simpler solution?

Research indicates that most accidental deaths involving blind cords happen in the bedroom and occur in children between 16 months and 36 months old, with the majority (over half) happens at around 23 months. These toddlers are mobile, but their heads still weigh proportionately more than their bodies compared to adults and their muscular control is not yet fully developed, which makes them more prone to be unable to free themselves if they become entangled. In addition, their windpipes have not yet fully developed and are smaller and less rigid than adults and older children, making them suffocate more quickly if their necks are constricted. The British Blind and Shutter Association have produced an information leaflet (Make it Safe campaign) which is available from:

bbsa.org.uk/members-area/child-safety-bbsa/

Never place a child’s cot, bed, playpen or high chair near a window so they may reach a blind cord. Do not place furniture near a window that a child could climb on to reach a blind cord Use a proper blind safety device to keep the cords taut or out of reach.

@spaceghetto

If a child has a burn on their face, how should you treat it? I know if it happens elsewhere you can run it under cold water, bit tricky on their face though.

If a child is burned on their face, it does make it harder to run the area under cool running water. However, it is not impossible and cool running water is the best treatment if this is possible. If it isn't possible to treat the burn in this way, phone an ambulance and ask advice from the medic on the line. If this isn't possible, treat the burn by continually applying clean, cold wet towels to the affected area, be extremely careful not to damage broken skin. If you have a proper impregnated burns dressing, you can apply this to the burned area. It is important to do your best to cool the burn as swiftly as possible, that you don't touch the burn or further damage any of the burned skin. You are likely to need help from the emergency services as a matter of urgency. All children's burns should be seen and dressed by a health professional.

@HotToddyColdSauvignon

Are those fake plug socket things really bad to use?

I have answered this in detail earlier in the thread. Using a socket cover can damage the internal mechanism within UK sockets that prevents children from accessing the socket. Consequently when you stop using the socket cover, you could find the socket damaged and more dangerous than before. Please don't cover sockets with any of the pronged covers. The UK sockets are actually pretty well protected. Using the covers with prongs, can damage the mechanism and consequently leave the sockets more dangerous and vulnerable once they are removed. There are some newer covers that don't interfere with the mechanism and so don't damage the UK socket. However, the general advice is that you shouldn't need to cover sockets in the UK. You can read more information at the following link www.firstaidforlife.org.uk/dangerous-socket-covers-and-how-to-treat-electrocution/

@hannahbjm

My baby has just started crawling and he loves our cat and she is interested in him just as much. How do you keep toddlers safe around cats as he does pull fur unintentionally but i would hate for them to lose the bond they have

Always closely supervise your child around animals. Even the most loving and docile animal can be provoked by an inquisitive child. cat scratches and bites can quickly become infected and can do serious damage if they were to scratch your child's face or eyes. It could also affect your child's confidence around animals if your cat did hurt them. Close supervision and an understanding of the importance of being gentle and allowing your cat to have some peace.

@wheresthejam

Hello Emma, could you give some advice about preparing food for a 1 year old to prevent choking ? I avoid the obvious (not leaving small foods like nuts within reach) but could he safely eat a cherry tomato for example ? He only has 4 teeth at the moment. I also heard that you should only serve banana cut length ways and then in halves, is that right ?

The key to preparing food for little ones is to try and avoid perfect circles - these can be more of a choking hazard than batons or quadrants. Cherry tomatoes and grapes should be quartered. Hence the advice around bananas. Most importantly never leave your child unattended when eating - even for a moment.