The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1949-04-07
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INFANTS AND HOME
ACCIDENTS

ACClO6NIS
Every mother wants to give
her babies the best of care. Ye'
accidental injuries and death
daily menace these little folk mo-
yet old enough to exercise judg.
ment in the face of danger.
The following suggestions are
offered as a simple guide for the
safety of newborns, toddlers and
young children.
During the first weeks of life
many babies suffer from oxygen
hunger. Breathing is not a simple
process which is fully accomp-
lished with the first cry. Coupled
with oxygen hunger, is complete
helplessness which means that
the baby is at the mercy Of his
surroundings.
For this reason, pillows and
bedding should not be used
around the infants face and head
and he should sleep on firm,
hard mattress. Neither should the
baby have quilts or blankets fas-
tened around its throat because
in wiggling and twisting, the
child may hang itself or smother
to death.
Often there is great concern
about keeping a baby covered
and the child is pinned into bed
ding or a Upper holds him firm
ly under the covers. Any method
of restraint should be carefully
examined to be sure there is no
possibility of the baby being in
lured by the very measures TAX
en- for its safety.
Always be sure, too, that the
bars on the side of the crib are
spaced closely enough together
so that there is no chance that
the infant can wedge his head
between them.
AS a baby gets a bit older, the
next two problems which present
themselves are falls, and foreign
objects which go into the mouth.
after the first few months,
babies become very active, con-
stantly moving arms and legs and
soon their entire bodies. Often
the baby gets a bad fall from a
table, bathinette or bed before
the mother is aware that it is no
longer safe to leave the cid
alone. Not only may the fall be
physically dangerous, but it may
lrIghten the child badly.
Young infants have fear OF
falling and, since large part OF
the child's emotional pattern is
laid down in the first two years
OF life, frequent falls during this
Serlod of helpessness may con-
tribute to the development Of
emotional insecurity later:
The mouth is frequent dam
ger spot during the early months
and years of life. Everything a
cnlld can reach goes into his
mouth and poisoning and choking
are the possible consequences OF
mis- actions unless parents are
| a..4,i to see that harmful ma.
terials are never within his reach.
.5e sure that non-lead paint is
4sei for cribs and any toys that
are painted at home. Keep but
IONS, pins, spools and small OBJ
| 49,. Vi all kinds in places quite
l.accessable to the curious little
.nsers. Be sure toys don't don't
lave small beads or button pulls
which can be swallowed or lodge
n the throat. f.
Keep all medicines in a locked
cupboard and insect powders and
fruit sprays in high shelves in
the basement, porch or garage.
Lye, gasoline and paint should
receive the same treatment.
These are but a few simple ex-
amples of the dangers that may
threaten the health and welfare
of infants and todders.
Always remember that babies
have great curiosity and no judg-
ment except as they learn by
trial and error. It is the job of
adults to make their environment
as safe as is humanity possible
and to protect them as they grad
ually develop some degree of
self sufficiency.