How many times have you looked at the age limits or warnings on random little toys or activities and after evaluating it yourself thought...eh they're old enough what harm can it do, looks safe enough. Well I've done the same or maybe I stand alone on this.
In my case it was 3 yr + and a 0-3 yrs with a frowning face next to it. When Seren first started growing enough hair to get in her eyes I began looking for ways to help the problem. Almost all of the hair clips, barrettes and elastics I looked at had the age 3+ on them. So I cut bangs a few times while she was younger and was frequently mouthing objects. Once she was 2 though and didn't mouth things as much or next to never I began buying barrettes and elastics to pin her bangs back and grow them out.
A couple days ago I threw her long bangs in a metal clip and Jeff and I took the girls out to run some errands. We were about to get on the freeway when Seren made some gagging sounds. I looked back from the passenger seat and could see the clip in the back of her throat and her little hands trying to grab at it. I let out an expletive and yelled at Jeff to pull the car over in a panic. He pulled onto the grassy bank of the on ramp and I jumped out of the car and ran around to help Seren. I yanked the door open and she was still gagging on it so I quickly unstrapped her car seat and was ready to do some hitting between the shoulder blades like we learned in infant/child CPR. Once she was leaned forward and out of the car seat she gagged again and threw up the clip along with most of her dinner. We were so relieved and she of course began crying in a panic herself. It only took a minute or two to happen but I thought for sure we'd be racing to the emergency room instead of chores and I am so grateful that wasn't the case. I would never have considered a simple hair clip to be such a danger but now I have my own reminder of why every single toy and object has a recommended age range.
It has definitely made me second guess my thinking and rationalizing of toys and everything else for the girls. Seren and Kendall both go hair clip free now. I do still use the small baby elastics but I figure those can at least be swallowed. Just something to think about and maybe a story of caution from me.
5 comments:
Oh. My. Gosh. That story had me in a panic just reading it. I'm so glad to hear she is OK! BTW, you do not stand alone on this. We had our first (and only, I hope) call to poison control Wednesday. Luckily "Mr. Bubble" bubble bath isn't toxic......it says clearly on the bottle NOT to leave it with small children unattended.....
Check out Baby Wisp . Com. They have these latch clips that are amazing! They hold super fine hair and are near impossible for toddler to get out! Lol! I honestly can not recommend them enough!
I've also had to really reevaluate my purchasing standards of late as Lola does the same things!
All my best to you!
It is insane the trouble and panic kids can cause. I haven't even worried enough to lock up their bath stuff...I will now hehe. Thanks Brenda.
I will also be looking into the Baby Wisps...thanks for the tip KS.
So scary--glad your sweet girl is ok. I heard another scary story from a twin mommy. She put small rubber bands in her daughter's hair, and somehow one of them put one on her wrist. She didn't see her go to bed like that because her pj's were covering it. When she woke up the next morning, her girl's hand was purple-blue. They rushed her to ER but she ended up being ok. Scary though. I feel like you have to watch them every single second.
Goodness that is scary. So true. Constant mischief...although at least not usually of the mortal danger kind.
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