What is the number one concern most parents have today?  It should be keeping their child safe.  Whether you are at home, in the car or out shopping, you always want your child to be as safe as they can be.  For years companies have been coming out with new products to help keep your child safe, just be aware that not all products are tested the same.  As a responsible parent, always double check the current recalls to make sure that the items you are purchasing are as safe as they can be.  I’d like to introduce you to some of my favorite safety products that are out on the market today.

High on my list is the car seat, to be sized appropriately for the child.  The infant car seat is perfect for up to 20 pounds and under 1 year of age.  These seats make it easy for mom to take her infant in and out of stores, restaurants, or just the house.  These often times snap into a stroller as well, so they are quite versatile.  Then there are convertible car seats that grow with your child, are rear facing for the infants, turn and grow up with your child eventually becoming a high back booster which the child can remain in until they are 80 lbs.  What a great investment these are.  Now buyer beware, if you are purchasing a used model, do check the recall lists out there to be sure they have not been recalled, and always ask if they have been in an accident, as you do not want them if they have.

Household safety is a growing concern, as many accidents happen at home.  There are lots of items out there to keep you child safe as they grow and explore your home.  The TV strap is a must have, two straps can keep up to 50 lbs from falling over, along with the furniture brackets which mount to the wall and keep your furniture from tumbling over onto your child.  Outlet covers and the surge protector and power strip cover is a must have if you have one of these exposed to a child’s quick hands.  No parent wants to find out the hard way what can happen when little hands stick objects into electrical outlets.  The cabinet latches are also great to keep little ones out of areas where chemicals, knives or other dangerous items may be stored.  A safety gate (or two) are a must have in any household.  Whether you have stairs or not, these gates help you keep track of your child, keeping them out of rooms that you are not ready to have them in yet, or keeping an animal away from the child.  There are many other items that can help keep your child safe at home, too many to list here.  I would suggest getting down on all fours, and take a good look around from a child’s perspective.  Then ask yourself these questions:  What could you reach from that height, what might you climb, what might you get into?

I’m not sure about you, but taking my child out into a crowded place such as a grocery store, or a shopping mall is very scary.  There are many products out on the market today that can help ease this and keep your child safe.  With all the talk about the Swine Flu epidemic, I am surprised people take their children out at all.  There are ways to protect your child when you are out.  If you are using a shopping cart, the shopping cart cover is perfect.  It covers the germs up, and keeps your young child as germ free as possible.  These come in a variety of styles and also fit in a booster seat at a restaurant.  Then there is the fear that you will become separated from your child.  Child ID products are on the market today.  You can add them to your child’s clothing or even to their shoes, fill them out with your contact information and attach.  The hope is that you will never be separated from your child, but in that rare case, it is better to be safe than sorry.

These are just a few of my favorite child safety products on the market today.  In weeks to come I will be covering other items and some of these more in depth as child safety is a priority in today’s society.