Kids
Five Things That Worry Pediatricians More Than Parents
By Samantha Ahdoot, MD
Most parents know the importance of protecting children with car seats, gates on stairs and locks on cabinets. Some hazards, however, don’t get the attention they deserve. Here are five less appreciated child safety risks that stoke fear in the hearts of pediatricians.
1. Ramen
Ramen is hot. Very hot. It sits in open bowls on countertops. Inquisitive little hands find these bowls and tip them over, resulting in spills of boiling water. Instant soup is one of the leading causes of burns in young children. Parents should be very aware of where they place bowls of hot soup, as well as tea, bottle warmers, crockpots, or anything that contains hot water. Prevent scald injuries by placing these items on the back of the kitchen counter, out of the reach of prying little fingers.
2. Sofas
Parents of newborns are often exhausted. It is all too easy for a new parent to doze off while holding their baby on the sofa, sometimes in the middle of a sleepless night. Parents desperate to do laundry are tempted to place a sleeping baby on the sofa “just for a minute”. Beware of the sofa! It is a bad place for babies! In the blink of an eye a baby can turn and fall off the edge, or get their face covered by cushions. Always place babies in a safe place, such as a bassinet or crib. Never place an infant on a sofa unattended. It only takes a minute to flip off the edge.

