Various Topics on General

..d..

"*Debbie*" <redruby@bigpong.com.za> wrote in message
news:vK6uc.17162$L.6970@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> I feel that if you have other peoples children in your care then you need
to take the necessary >precautions to ensure they are as safe as possible. I
would not be comfortable with something that >could be a potential hazard to
a child

And I feel that I do take every precaution. As I said, I don't think that
coffee tables are a major hazard as long as they are suitable (with rounded
corners etc). I think many other items of furniture are just as - if not
more - dangerous.
What exactly is the difference between a coffee table and a table in a
nursery setting - the low ones that are in nurseries, schools etc? (Hmmm, I
hope these are an international standard LOL!) They are about the same
height, same size, same weight. They are both set in the middle of a floor
space (although I move mine out of the way). I honestly can't see the
difference.
Obviously, if a coffee table is made of gl***, has sharp edges, has poky
bits (like some of those ornamental type ones that have a statue holding up
a gl*** sheet for a surface or those with ornamental metal scrollwork that
could trap fingers) then it really isn't suitable and would be moved.
Ofsted/other regulatory body would require it if the childminder hadn't
already moved it.
Mine, though, has completely smooth, round edges all the way around. The
corners are rounded. There are four straight legs. Nothing else - no shelf,
scrolling, ornamental carving or whatever. It is a purely functional item of
furniture that is extremely useful to have around since it is perfect for a
child's height. How am I endangering children by using it? It is in no way a
hazard. My dining table is probably more dangerous since it is a perfect
height to bump a child's head when a toddler pulls on a dining chair to pull
to stand...
There is a difference between nursery and home settings; we still have to
live here! Therefore, I have a television in the play area which needs to be
protected. I have shelving for videos that potentially could be used as a
climbing frame. I have stairs, fires, pot-plants, cats and dogs, a hamster,
clutter, ornaments, coffee tables, side tables, framed pictures, cleaning
products, knives and hundreds of other dangers. I know how to ensure that
these hazards are eliminated - whether by moving, locking away, using safety
equipment (fireguards, stairgates, socket covers) or arranging furniture to
block access if necessary!!
I've had training to do safety checks and risk ***essment; Ofsted (our
regulatory body), my various ***essors (college, the local council dept)
have seen my home and praised and p***ed it. I kind of resent the
implication that I am unable to safeguard the children in my care and am
exposing them to potential hazards. As I said, unless the law is different
in your area and demands certain precautions, I would hope that every one of
us has the ability to be able to ***ess and eliminate dangers in our own
settings to ensure the safety of all children.
Donna

..d..

"aldee" <ne_endo@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:tqauc.2264$%h2.1691@newsfe1-win...
> What exactly is the difference between a coffee table and a table in a
> nursery setting - the low ones that are in nurseries, schools etc? (Hmmm,
I
> hope these are an international standard LOL!)

FWIW, these are the kind of tables (height 50cm) I meant are used in
nurseries:
http://www.schoolsurplus.co.uk/cgi-b...lus.storefront
And this is fairly similar to my coffee table (height 48cm):
http://www.everythingfurniture.com/cotaasinmael.html
While this is (IMO) unsuitable and needs to be moved to a cupboard...
http://www.everythingfurniture.com/rococotabapo.html

..ebbi..

Donna I think that you have misunderstood what I have been trying to say. I
am not "picking" on you for having a coffee table. The whole issue was
someone asking about safety and now it has come down to a single coffee
table. I was only trying to make the point that if you (not necessarily
*you*) had an item that could possibly pose a hazard then it should be
moved.

Yes, the little tables we have in Centres are roughly the same height as
coffee tables but they are not placed in areas (like home lounges) with
limited spacing where children can run in and trip and fall on them or
jump/fall off a sofa/lounge and knock into them.

My opinion: no matter what it is that may cause an injury, move it or
secure it a way that makes it safer. This is my opinion and it's what *I*
would do.

Karen asked for advice on making her home secure and decided to go with
telling children "No" that is her prerogative. We all have our own views
and that's what makes us different and the world interesting. I don't think
we should get upset because our views differ.

Debbie

"aldee" <ne_endo@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:tqauc.2264$%h2.1691@newsfe1-win...
> "*Debbie*" <redruby@bigpong.com.za> wrote in message
> news:vK6uc.17162$L.6970@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> > I feel that if you have other peoples children in your care then you
need
> to take the necessary >precautions to ensure they are as safe as possible.
I
> would not be comfortable with something that >could be a potential hazard
to
> a child
>
> And I feel that I do take every precaution. As I said, I don't think that
> coffee tables are a major hazard as long as they are suitable (with
rounded
> corners etc). I think many other items of furniture are just as - if not
> more - dangerous.
> What exactly is the difference between a coffee table and a table in a
> nursery setting - the low ones that are in nurseries, schools etc? (Hmmm,
I
> hope these are an international standard LOL!) They are about the same
> height, same size, same weight. They are both set in the middle of a floor
> space (although I move mine out of the way). I honestly can't see the
> difference.
> Obviously, if a coffee table is made of gl***, has sharp edges, has poky
> bits (like some of those ornamental type ones that have a statue holding
up
> a gl*** sheet for a surface or those with ornamental metal scrollwork that
> could trap fingers) then it really isn't suitable and would be moved.
> Ofsted/other regulatory body would require it if the childminder hadn't
> already moved it.
> Mine, though, has completely smooth, round edges all the way around. The
> corners are rounded. There are four straight legs. Nothing else - no
shelf,
> scrolling, ornamental carving or whatever. It is a purely functional item
of
> furniture that is extremely useful to have around since it is perfect for
a
> child's height. How am I endangering children by using it? It is in no way
a
> hazard. My dining table is probably more dangerous since it is a perfect
> height to bump a child's head when a toddler pulls on a dining chair to
pull
> to stand...
> There is a difference between nursery and home settings; we still have to
> live here! Therefore, I have a television in the play area which needs to
be
> protected. I have shelving for videos that potentially could be used as a
> climbing frame. I have stairs, fires, pot-plants, cats and dogs, a
hamster,
> clutter, ornaments, coffee tables, side tables, framed pictures, cleaning
> products, knives and hundreds of other dangers. I know how to ensure that
> these hazards are eliminated - whether by moving, locking away, using
safety
> equipment (fireguards, stairgates, socket covers) or arranging furniture
to
> block access if necessary!!
> I've had training to do safety checks and risk ***essment; Ofsted (our
> regulatory body), my various ***essors (college, the local council dept)
> have seen my home and praised and p***ed it. I kind of resent the
> implication that I am unable to safeguard the children in my care and am
> exposing them to potential hazards. As I said, unless the law is different
> in your area and demands certain precautions, I would hope that every one
of
> us has the ability to be able to ***ess and eliminate dangers in our own
> settings to ensure the safety of all children.
> Donna
>
>

..i.. ..essm..

My dd came down our hall and hit the pantry door. We could not figure out
at first why she had a cut in the middle of her eyes. We figured out of all
the places she could hit she hit the door hinge. She had to get two
stitches right in the middle of her eyes.

Anita

daisymay94 wrote in message ...
>Letting a child learn from busting up and eye because she tripped and
>needing four stitches? Not much to learn from that when you're two, except
>that doctors were "mean to you" and strapped you down to a table to put a
>neeldle in your head. (Yes this actually happened... all from a coffee
>table)
>
>Kids are going to jump, run or even trip. I had a child go onto his
>sleeping bag and tripped and slid right into an end table.
>
>Kids at age 1 and 2 won't learn from mistakes fast they make the same
>mistakes over and over and eventually will have enough cognitive skills to
>realize that thats just not gonna work.... will you not put covers on your
>outlet because if they get zapped they'll learn from it?
>
>If I sound snappy oh well... it's 5am... I'm tired. This isn't my rule...
>it's a rule by the state so I follow it.
>
>
>"Karen Ray-Stewart" <karen.ray-stewart@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
>news:V1wtc.52860$tb4.1841325@news20.bellglobal.co m...
>> I wouldn't be able to live without a coffe table..... that is a huge item
>in
>> my living room. The one I have now you can't put away everyday, it's to
>> heavy to move around that much. I would be lost not having a coffee
>table.
>> I can see the reasoning behind it, a great place to knock out an eye or
>> bang a head. I am one who beleives that kids will learn from their
>> mistakes. I don't want the children to get seriously injured but
>sometimes
>> they take these precautions to far. Anyone ever thought of just telling
>> the kids "NO" ?? And letting them learn from that.
>> Karen
>>
>> "daisymay94" <Daisymay94@verizon.net> wrote in message
>> news29tc.21913$4%3.4791@nwrdny01.gnilink.net...
>> > here in PA we must either put away coffee tables or not have one at
all.
>> > Mine is put away each morning.
>> >
>> >
>> > "Jacqui" <missjacqui@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>> > news:gy%sc.26465$zO3.3580@newsread2.news.atl.earth link.net...
>> > > Hi Karen,
>> > > To baby proof for a toddler, check or install
>> > > latches on cabinets, oven and refrigerator
>> > > bookshelves and other furniture they may climb--make sure they have
an
>> > anti
>> > > tipping device installed
>> > > cords on blinds that can pose a hanging hazard--there is something
you
>> can
>> > > buy for those
>> > > get knobs to put over door knobs to keep the child out of dangerous
>> rooms
>> > > where are your medicines stored?
>> > > Knick knacks and breakables must be moved up high
>> > > How are the edges on your coffee and other low tables? You might need
>> some
>> > > bumper pads.
>> > > Get down to their level--see what dangerous things you can find.
>> > > www.onestepahead.com or your local Babies R Us or Toys R Us have a
>great
>> > > selection of babyproofing stuff.
>> > > Demand really depends on the child and how the parents treat you.
How
>> > well
>> > > do you know the child? Make sure you have clear policies in place
>with
>> > the
>> > > parents. You can go to www.childfun.com for forms.
>> > > Hope this helps!
>> > > Jacqui
>> > > "Karen Ray-Stewart" <karen.ray-stewart@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
>> > > news:jFSsc.33608$tb4.1150499@news20.bellglobal.com ...
>> > > > I have the chance to take in a 15 months old child. My kids
are
>5
>> > and
>> > > 7
>> > > > and this would only be for the summer. The problem is that I no
>> longer
>> > > have
>> > > > a "baby proof" house and it has been a while since I have had
>children
>> > > > younger then school aged in my house. The question is for a 15
>month
>> > old
>> > > > what do I need to do to baby proof ?? and is this going to be a
>> really
>> > > > demanding summer job ???
>> > > >
>> > > > Any suggestions/tips would be greatly appreciated.
>> > > >
>> > > > Thanks
>> > > > Karen
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>