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

@littlecottonbud

What is the most common preventable childhood accident ?

Falls are the most common, preventable childhood accident. From babies rolling off changing mats (the safest place to change your baby is on the floor!) to toddlers climbing on flower pots, boxes, chairs, or anything they can find and falling from height, out of windows or downstairs. Burns are also extremely common injuries - a baby can be burned by a cup of tea that has been cooling for a full 10 minutes! Hair straighteners and irons take an extremely long time to cool down and children can pull kettle cords, pan handles... Choking is also a common avoidable incident as is poisoning. Take further safety measures by buying Duracell's lithium coin cell batteries which are covered in a Bitrex coating that is repulsive and will prevent children from putting them in their mouths. Always ensure you buy batteries from reputable and responsible manufacturers in childproof packaging - button batteries can burn if swallowed. I wrote an article for The Daily Mail on Dangers in your home, accident prevention and first aid should an accident happen www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5811529/These-SIX-common-childhood-accidents.html This is also covered in my Book Burns, Falls and Emergency Calls - available on Amazon

@Candean

Hi Emma, we've just bought our first home and while I'm really excited to move in next month - I am concerned for safety of my 3 month old. He's not on the move yet but I do have some questions for when he's more active and mobile...

This house has a bath (we've been using a Shnuggle tub so far as our rental only has a shower) But when he's a bit older we'll get to use the bath but how deep should the water in the bath be?

And stair gates, am I right in thinking we should get one each for the top and bottom of the stairs but also a third one for the kitchen too?

As we're moving from a furnished flat to an unfurnished house, we're getting all new furniture. So things like coffee table etc with corners, any tips on avoiding bumps with those?

This is my first baby, and we had issues with his health when he was newborn so I'm a bit of a worrier about him anyway. I'm trying to be less of an over-protective but the more I see him getting more inquisitive and trying to get crawling I'm a bit concerned for this new home! Thanks in advance ☺️

These are perfectly understandable concerns moving into your new house with your baby. Children will have bumps and bruises, it is how they learn, however there are sensible precautions that you can take to avoid serious accidents. Concerning your bath - ideally fit thermostatically controlled taps, this should stop your bath water getting too hot and avoid surges when someone flushes a loo etc... Ensure you have a well-fitting bath mat. Always start by putting cold water in the bath and then top up with warm water. You can get heat sensor bath thermometers too. You don't need very much water in the bath, enough for you to wash them, without them getting cold, but the most important thing is that you don't leave them for a moment.
For stair gates, as you suggest, at the top and bottom of the stairs and outside the kitchen is a good idea. Ensure they are good quality and that they are easy for you as parents to operate, so that you will use them properly. You can get squidgy covers for corners on your coffee tables etc. You should also ensure that chest of drawers are properly secured to the wall using wall straps, buy safety locks to secure your cupboards and keep things like medication, batteries, liquitabs and cleaning products safely out of sight and reach. Always supervise your little one, ensure you take time to look for obvious hazards around the home including checking devices are secure and that lithium coin cell batteries can't be taken out and accidentally swallowed. My book Burns, Falls and Emergency Calls - highlights accident prevention tips both room by room and according to the age of your child.

@Daffodils9

I’m about to have my second and I’m worried that my first will unintentionally endanger him with toys that are heavy, have small parts, etc. Other than constant supervision and keeping things out of reach as much as possible, I’m wondering what techniques I could use with my 4 year old to keep both him and baby safe?

Many parents share your concerns with two small children. As your 4 year old develops they will start playing with toys with smaller parts, that can easily become a choking hazard for your baby. The key is to explain to your child the importance of trying to keep these things out of reach of your baby. Explain why this is important and that they should tell you if the baby does put anything small in their mouth. The hardest part comes when the baby becomes mobile! Close supervision is vital but unfortunately there is no easy fix. Ensure you are up to speed with your first aid skills too! Also check that your household items are secure to avoid the chances of lithium coin cell batteries being ingested. Take further safety measures by buying Duracell's lithium coin cell batteries which are covered in a Bitrex coating that is repulsive and will prevent children from putting them in their mouths. Always ensure you buy batteries from reputable and responsible manufacturers in childproof packaging.

@FourteenSixteenTwentyTwo

Hi Emma! Any tips for when they suss the baby gate but it's still unsafe for them to go into the room?

If the room is definitely not safe for them to enter, then shut the door firmly, rather than relying on a stair gate to deter them. If they can see somewhere they want to get to, it will just inspire them to try harder to get in. Check that all your household devices and gadets have secure battery compartments to avoid batteries falling out and getting into the wrong hands. Take further safety measures by buying Duracell's lithium coin cell batteries which are covered in a Bitrex coating that is repulsive and will prevent children from putting them in their mouths. Always ensure you buy batteries from reputable and responsible manufacturers in childproof packaging. Ensure anything that children should not have is out of sight and reach.

@emphasisofmatter

I think most people know to keep certain things out of reach, like cleaning products and washing powder etc. What are the things that aren't so obvious that could be dangerous that we need to consider?

Check the ten most common household devices that contain lithium coin cell batteries or button batteries. These batteries can be extremely dangerous to children if swallowed. They react with body fluids and release a substance like caustic soda that can burn through flesh, cause serious damage and can kill. Even flat batteries are dangerous. Keep spare batteries out of reach and check all devices that may contain these batteries to ensure the battery compartments are secure. Any toys that do not have a double mechanism to secure the battery should be removed out of sight and reach.

@kagerou

My baby is soon to be of an age where she starts to grab things to put in her mouth. I am wondering if there's anything I can do during the process of weening to teach her the difference between food and non-food items as early as possible?

Your child will naturally put things in their mouth as an additional way of exploring it. As they grow up, they will gradually do this less. Unfortunately prevention is key and keeping small and potentially dangerous things out of reach is really important. Many products use a product called Bitrex to deter children from putting them in their mouths. It is utterly repulsive. Some cleaning products contain it and Duracell are the only battery company to coat their button batteries with Bitrex. Keep all batteries out of reach of children and #Take10 minutes to check all battery compartments are secure, or put the gadgets out of site and reach.

@DinkyDaffodil

I feel to have all angles covered, anti-slam door stops, corners protected, and cupboards locked - but at what age would you recommend removing these - I don't want to do more harm than good now we are all going into 'normal' life again where these safeguards are not in place - and they like to run around - and are still at table height ?

It sounds like you have things well in hand. You will need to gauge your child's developmental stage to assess how ready they are if you wish to remove these. If they are still knocking themselves against the protected corners, then leave them in place. Door stops and anti-slammers are a good idea for longer - particularly in the summer when open windows can cause more of a draft. Keeping potential hazards out of sight and reach is always a good idea. Particularly when they are having friends round. Ensure you keep liquitabls and button batteries out of reach as well. Take 10 minutes to check all the battery containing gadgets in your home and make sure the battery compartments are secure. If not, they too should be out of sight and reach. Always buy batteries in secure packaging and ideally choose ones that have been coated with Bitrex to deter children from putting them in their mouths.

@HobNobAddict

Is there a CE / Kite Mark which you are aware of which means toys are as child friendly as possible (the screw lid over batteries is the most important) So I can let relatives know this Christmas to they can be on the look out for them before buying (that way I avoid the dangerous toys this Christmas)

Only buy toys from reputable suppliers. The toys should have a clear CE mark that proves they have been rigorously tested and should be safe for your child. Any toys with battery compartments should have a dual mechanism to keep the battery safely within them. For an added safety precaution use Duracell's lithium coin cell batteries that have been coated with Bitrex to further deter children from putting them in their mouths.

@Quietvoiceplease

What's the best approach to helping children become more careful without making them fearful? For example, how to help them understand that being curious is a good thing, but that anything putting them in physical danger (climbing ladders, tasting something that has been found etc) should be avoided. How can we help sharpen their self-defence mechanism?

Incurring minor bumps and bruises are a necessary part of growing up and they learn from this. The key is to prevent serious mishaps. Children do not full appreciate risks until they are in their 20s! Teach them by example, try not to demonstrate reckless behaviour in front of them. Talk through important safety messages around sharp objects and hot things in the kitchen. However you will still need to remove potential dangers from them as they just won't appreciate risk. Check that all your household devices and gadets have secure battery compartments to avoid batteries falling out and getting into the wrong hands. Take further safety measures by buying Duracell's lithium coin cell batteries which are covered in a Bitrex coating that is repulsive and will prevent children from putting them in their mouths. Always ensure you buy batteries from reputable and responsible manufacturers in childproof packaging. Ensure anything that children should not have is out of sight and reach. Put irons and hair straighteners out of reach when cooling, use short flexes for kettles, place pans at the back of the cooker with their handles facing away from the edge. Keep medication, liquitabs and potentially hazardous substances out of sight and reach... My book Burns, Falls and Emergency Calls goes into more detail as to the most common accidents occuring at different ages, how to prevent these and clear first aid advice should things go wrong.

@MadamElderfield

That's so shocking to read that that kind of battery can be so dangerous! I can't think what other things in my house would use a battery like that - what are some examples of household objects that I should check? And what are the symptoms of a child that has swallowed a battery - DCs are always up to no good while my back is turned!

Here are ten of the most common household devices, take 10 minutes to check that batteries are safely secured within them. Toys should all have two separate mechanisms to access the battery compartment and these should be in tact. Any toys without this, should not be given to children. Remember that even a flat battery can still react with saliva and body fluids to produce a caustic soda-like substance - so these should be immediately removed and appropriately recycled. Always buy batteries from reputable companies using child-safe packaging. Duracell are the only company with the added extra of coating their batteries with Bitrex to prevent children from putting them in their mouths in the first place.

The most common devices to check are:

1. Small toys
2. TV remotes
3. Watches
4. Wearables
5. Small lighting devices (lights, fake candles)
6. Key fobs
7. Kitchen scales
8. GPS trackers
9. Fitness trackers

10. Heart rate monitors Anything that flashes, sings or spins is also likely to contain one of these batteries - including singing cards!

Thanks for everyone who posted a question! The winner of the prize draw is @SnowyMouse congratulations!

Thank you @EmmaHammett2021 great thread!