Watch as our Editor In Chic Amy Scalia shares her personal message about child safety
About a year into being a mom, I joked that I could write a book about all the things mom-to-be books don’t tell you. That was before my daughter could walk, so now I feel like I could fill an entire library!
Here’s one of my biggest lessons learned, and I hope sharing my story helps you, too…
Like I said, I read all those mommy-to-be books, and I thought I had my house prepped for Lola’s arrival. But once she took those first steps, everything changed. She was all the sudden getting into things I never dreamed she could reach or open yet.
Thank GOODNESS, right after she started getting mobile, I saw a commercial that was my “a-ha” moment. The commercial was about everyday dangers in a home, and one of them were laundry pacs. At first, I thought “well, duh, who would just leave those sitting out in front of a baby?” And then I realized that I was essentially doing just that.
My laundry room door was closed, but Lola can now open doors. If she did, all my products – including laundry pacs – were on a shelf she could probably reach, and the container was opened because it was easier to not have to fuss with opening it each time I needed one. Holy. Cow.
Like I said, this was my “a-ha” moment to make it safe if she ever did get in there (which you know she eventually would). I made a promise to myself to always keep all my laundry and cleaning products up and closed from this point forward. But, of course, with style. I took to Pinterest to find some cute DIY shelving that keeps everything out of reach for her but still within reach for me to grab-and-go when I need it.
I feel a MILLION times better with that little afternoon shelving project, and now, I want to spread the word so other parents can do the same. When it comes to laundry pacs, keep them up and keep them closed to keep your kiddos safe!
Watch the PSAs below I recently did on Star64 with an Injury Prevention Specialist from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and then please share this page with parents, grandparents, caretakers, and anyone with little ones at home! Click here to learn more great safety tips.