For years, we have been taught that 13 is an unlucky number: Don’t go up to
13th floor of a building and don’t go out on Friday 13th, our grandmothers used to say. But 13 is also a sacred number due to its secret knowledge, mystery and tangible powers. This last revelation has been brought masterfully down by a professional who is known for her experience in study of child safety. Author Debra Smiley Holtzman brings a particular expertise of number 13 to pages of “The Safe Baby: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Home Safety.”
With this do-it-yourself manual, parents and thinking-to-be parents will learn essentials of protecting baby. I took this from release of book. Here's Debra Holtzman's List of 13:
1. Balloons: More children have suffocated on uninflated balloons and pieces of balloons than any other type of toy. Balloon related deaths are more common among children ages three and older than among younger children. Keep balloons away from children under eight years of age.
2. Storage chests: Suffocation deaths occur in such places when children crawl inside and cannot escape. The best choice is one without a lid or one with a lightweight, removable one. If a chest closes, make sure it has ventilation holes.
3. Bunkbeds: To prevent entrapment, all spaces between guardrail and bed frame and in head and footboards should be less than three-and- one- half inches and there should be guardrails on both sides. Children under age of six should never sleep on top bed.
4. Stuffed toys: Be aware that seams can separate and allow stuffing or plastic pellets to be released, presenting a choking hazard to young children. Check also for small detachable parts, security of eyes, nose and mouth of stuffed toys.
5. Art Supplies: Always look for this label: ASTM D-4236. This label means product has been reviewed by a toxicologist. If it is necessary, cautionary information will be included with this label. Children under age 12 should never be allowed to use hazardous art materials, which can expose your child to toxic substances, including lead, cadmium, nickel and organic solvents.
