How to Keep Your Baby Safe in the City
One of your main concerns as a parent raising a baby in the city
is your baby's safety. The city does a wonderful job of offering
a wide spectrum of culture and experience that cannot be found
anywhere else. However, with that wonderful experience comes a
host of possible dangers. This is not meant to scare anyone away
from the joys of city living, but it's always better to be safe
than sorry. Health hazards, transportation and public
playgrounds present possible dangers that should be guarded
against.
With such a large population, it's no wonder that health hazards
exist. Two big ones that affect your little city dweller are
ozone and pollution. To protect your family from ozone, watch
the news for ozone warnings. Usually, the danger time is from 1
to 5 p.m. so keep outside playtime in the morning and evening.
Also watch for air pollution warnings and avoid outside play
during danger times. You must also keep watch on the indoor air
pollution. Try to keep the apartment ventilated and clean any
window A/C units. Don't smoke, and if your child has allergies,
use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. If you live in a building or
home constructed before 1978, keep a lookout for the dangers of
lead paint. For all info on lead risks, contact the EPA's
National Lead Information Center (www.epa.gov/lead/nlic.htm) .
The last two problems are mold and pests. Mold is best
controlled by controlling moisture. If problems do arise, notify
your landlord and/or clean it immediately. For more info go to
www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html . As for pests, everyone's
familiar with cockroaches, rats and mice. The best prevention
for all pests is cleanliness. Clean up any food spills or messes
and tightly store all pantry food in sturdy plastic bins.
Large cities have many forms of transportation from mass transit
to taxi cabs, and it's important to keep your baby safe while on
the go. One big danger on the subway or bus is the presence of
germs. Babies and toddlers love to touch everything, so try to
keep them restrained and invest in some hand sanitizer. In case
the train or bus makes a sudden stop, make sure your toddler is
firmly seated at all times. If no seats are available, hold them
as securely as you can, but usually people give up seats if they
see you with children. As for taxis, be sure to bring something
like a car seat or travel vest to strap in your little one. If
you've ever ridden in a taxi, you understand how dangerous it
can be for an infant or toddler. Also beware of intersections
while walking as they are the most common place for tragic
accidents.
As for playgrounds, also make an effort to inspect the equipment
and surface even if it is owned by the city. Many playgrounds
are not very safe for your toddler, so keep them closely
supervised.