Take Back the Night

didn’t forget these important points when you’re getting your home wee one safe:

• too hot Make sure your water heater is set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. A child exposed to 140 degree water for only three seconds will suffer third degree burns. If you live in building where you don’t control the water heater, consider getting an anti-scalding device like HotStop [www. h2otstop.com]. These shower heads and water spouts, available at Menards, automatically shut off if the water is above 120 degrees.

• too sharp Your dishwasher is a perfect place for your wee one to get hurt exploring sharp knives and forks and, gee…doesn’t that detergent look yummy?! Watch out for an inquisitive wee one underfoot when you load and unload the dishwasher. Make sure all sharp points are pointing down and don’t add detergent until right before you are ready to start the dishwasher.

• too much stuff Watch your purse and anyone else’s that enter your wee one’s adventure land. Coins, pen covers, medications, or hard candy are all very intriguing, but also very hazardous. So make sure all purses are out of reach.

• too wet When water safety comes up, we automatically think of the pool or lake, but you also need to consider other water sources such as the bath, toilet or bucket of water for cleaning. Never be more than an arm’s length away from your wee one in the tub. Never leave a bucket of water unattended and consider a lock for the toilet lid. A curious wee one can fall in head first and then not be able to get out. see www.raccfm.com or call 701-293-7273 for more information