Top most dangerous baby products

Janice - posted on 01/24/2012

The purpose of the bumbo is to assist babies that are not yet sitting independently. If you put your child who can already sit in it than it does become dangerous. I'm confused on why anyone would try to confine their sitting baby in a bumbo.

Lee Ann - posted on 01/24/2012

Bumbo Baby Seat is most def. a hazard, my daughter fell over in hers 2xs and that was it, i was done with using it ever again, the first time she fell over in it i didnt think anything too much about it, i was like well thats odd they are not sup. to tip over and the 2nd time i had enough, they need to be taken off the market





the light socket covers are hard enough for an adult to get out so im not sure how a child would, i mean i would never put anything past a child of what he or she can or cannot do but still.....the only ones that i would see that happening with are the ones with the push button sort of things to help you pop them out of the socket with



like other mommas have said anything can be deemed dangerous if left unattended with a child

Kelina - posted on 01/23/2012

So funny! We couldn't afford the bumbo with my son and with my daughter my neice had one so we tried it out. She screamed, planted her feet on the floor, arched her back and tired to roll until I took her out of it. another second and she'd have gotten out on her own so I can see a baby getting hurt cause you turned away for two seconds while it was on an elevated surface. The thing is most of the recommendations and safety regulations on the actual products are made because some parent made a stink about it. i read a patience news once that had this whole spiel about how things were in the old days. Black and white tv with bunny ears. playing in construction sites. my favortie part was about johnny from next door goofing around on the porch and falling and getting hurt. Back then he'd have gotten a spank then for goofing off and another one when he got home. the greatest part went something along the lines of "didn't Johnny's mother know that she could have sued us and owned our house?!?!?!" The outlet plugs are a two edged sword around here. My son can get them out but rarely does and if he does my daughter immediately tries to stick anything she can find inside. in the absence of something that will fit, she'll aim her fingers for the holes and hope I don't notice. not that she's ever succeeded in this thankfully. The best part is though that my husband has (finally!) stopped leaving his tools out for her to try and shove in there. I never bothered with the crib bumpers as there was the suffocation hazard and I was a paranoid first time mom. I was probably right to be as my son is great at taking things apart and just as wonderful at wrapping them around his head, as is my daughter. It never bothered me if they got their legs stuck. rarely does it bother them. occasionally I will go in and check on my daughter before we go to bed and she's sleeping quite peacefully with both legs stuck out one side of the crib and God help me if I try to move her. That's just inviting waking up a screaming baby. As for the humidifiers, I've only ever had the cool mist because they're the only ones our local drug store carries! We've never had an issue with them, you can adjust the steam so that it it correct for the humidity in the room and it works wonders with our kids who get everything under the sun. I think we let too many "experts" tell us whats best for our kids instead of going with our guts and common sense as moms. I still have my dropside crib despite the ban. Yes it has plastic parts that get checked regularly. But without that dropside, I would not be able to get my daughter into it on her back anymore as my belly is getting too large with baby and if you put her down any other way she'll scream and figure it's playtime! I think some bans are done more because it's easier to simply ban a product than to regulate what kind of materials it's made with.

Erica - posted on 01/23/2012

I have owned everything but the baby hammock and cannot get over people telling me what is and is not "safe" for babies and children. I have 4 kids who have all made it through babyhood alive. How on earth did the human race survive before safety regulations!?!?!? In my opinion this is all just a ploy put out there by companies to boost sales and make a profit. My grandfather MADE the crib my own mother used along with her 4 siblings, there was no safety recall for his craftsmanship. We get way too caught up in childbearing that we forget the adults and responsible children are (and should be) sole safety guardians. Sure its handy to have a few gadgets and gizmos around to help our efflets but come on, its not the gadgets and gizmos that have brains and a sense of responsibility. But the is just my simple opinion and since I done have a college degree in the area of product safety it my not mean much, since degrees mean SO much more than experience in this world. ;p

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 01/22/2012

Well said Nichole! Very true! Use your judgement and watch your kids! All these things are dangerous if you aren't watching them!! ;)

Nichole - posted on 01/22/2012

I have a question ... is anything safe?? are there things out there that can't be broken and choked on, or things out there that can't cause suffocation? At the rate every parent is going parents all over shouldn't have a tv because it can fall, parents should do away with lamps, batteries, tables, step stools, computers, staplers, nails, push pins, sewing machines, dirt, grass, food in general (when it comes to organic or not), chairs, coffee tables, doors (they can pinch fingers), cars (kids die in them as well), drinks ( of all kinds), cell phones, any type of gaming console, books (because children throw things and it could brake something that can be choked on), cups, plastic bags (trash bags, walmart bags), buckets, shovels, forks and sporks and spoons (you can still stab someone with them) blocks (lego and other wise) water guns (they can take an eye out), strollers (there's fabric in them and they can suffocate), anything with a cord (they can strangle them selves). sand boxes (they are just over sized cat litter boxes anyway), the park (they have high places where a child can get hurt), bikes (they can loose a few teeth to say the least), bike helmets ( they have cords that can go around the neck and choke you ... esp if a bully tries to pull you from behind... yes personal experience here), trophies for everyone (they can brake and small children can choke). the point is nothing is safe out there and everything can kill/harm a child. Grow up, use your own judgement, not someone elses.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 01/22/2012

I gues it all depends on whether you are always right with them.... I am, my son is never ever outta my sight. If I have to run down or up stairs, he goes in his playpen... I would see him trying to pull the plugs out, absolutely! ;) I like them because it would take him a few mins to get one out but it would only take a walk by to stick something in them....

Ripleigh - posted on 01/22/2012

You want to know if a baby can pry those plastic plugs out of the wall and choke on them? Absofreakinlutely! My kid was 14 months old when she pried on out of the wall and choked on it. I don't know how she got it out of the wall but she did. I will never use those things ever again. EVER! We took down all of our baby proofing when she got stuck in a cabinet. She got it open despite a baby latch on it and got stuck in the cabinet after it closed behind her. It took me a few minutes to find her. Baby proofing items seem to be delaying tactics at the most and unless you leave paper clips for your baby to stick wall sockets I would recommend you don't use them.

Pauline - posted on 01/19/2012

I think anything is dangerous without adult supervision..Some people buy many things thinking will babysit their kids...Honesty I had all but the humidifier. I do remember when my daughter was little we bought the humidifier but I don't even know if it was a cool mist or warm one because we didn't use it and I think it is still in a box somewhere in my storage room.



But my point is this there are so many things that yesterday were okay to use with our parents but today it is not okay to use ..but why? Because many more kids are being hurt from lack of adult supervision and find someone to put the blame ...Common Sense..

April - posted on 01/18/2012

I'm totally with you! I agree about the bumbo and the hammocks. Never had either one. As far as the humididier, I have a cold one and a hot one, but only use the hot one when we really need it and hate the cold one (the mist just gets whatever surface it's on all soaked). The hot one I use when my kids are in bed sleeping if they are sick. Really?....How are they going to get burned? (BTW, They both knew "hot" by about 14 months and I remind them each time we use it that it's hot.) I still have plug covers in the outlets in my daughter's room, because I don't want to bother taking them out unless I really need to. And crib bumpers, my daughter had one in her crib.

I think some of the recalls are just silly. I have always just used my own common sense about what is safe or not.

Tina - posted on 01/17/2012

I'm with others who say it's all about supervision and common sense. Most products have warnings to never leave your child unattended even with the bath seats. They can tip if the child leans as they do to play with their toys and splash. I have one I used it for my son. It's states it's not a safetly device and a child should never be left unattended. The bumpers have there place too. Especially if you have an active child that likes to wriggle and put their legs through the sides of the cot. My younger sister did that and got twisted I had to gently get her leg out. Both of my kids love the walker, again never unattended and you'd have to be really silly to let your child use one near stairs.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 01/17/2012

Gracious! I need you lil' guy to help me get my plug covers out then... hehehee They are not easy, like most I have to use a butter knife or flat head just so I can use one for a minute! LOL

Ashley - posted on 01/17/2012

lol unfortunately i have this little guy that has known how to get those plug covers off sense he was crawling........ soo i keep them out and im lucky enough that he hasnt stuck anything in it. im nervous about it, he tries to plug things in all the time. argh

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 01/17/2012

I also use the plastic outlet covers. They are still sold to purchase in Canada, so they are not banned. Canada is very stern on banned items, they would not be available otherwise... I too put my children to sleep on their tummies. My 13 year old, it was the suggested way then and my 15 month old would not sleep on his back...he always threw his arms in the air during sleeping, as if he was falling and then woke up screaming. He has slept 12 hours every single night since he was 3 months, yes on his tummy. ;) You just need to be catious and always monitor your children, they will be fine if you are mindful. I dunno about anyone else here but we would NEVER put the Bumbo chair on a raised surface, it says it right on the box. We always used it on the floor....And we only use a warm mist vapourizer, we put it up on his dresser and he is in his crib, that's common sense too. Ah, and the bath seats! I have one and LOVE it! You can not buy them in Canada, so I bought mine online. We would never ever leave even for a second and I made sure my husband understood that too, since he may not think of that. Our son loves his baths and it makes it sooo much easier.. ;)

Sarah - posted on 01/17/2012

1. Baby Walkers. They are banned in Canada. It is illegal to buy them, sell them, give them away, import them, make them. Basically, if you have one, you're expected to destroy it. Many babies died or had brain damage from falling down the stairs.

Janice - posted on 01/15/2012

Jenifer, I do believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that the drop side cribs were recalled because the frames came apart more easily. This caused mattress gaps which can lead to entrapment and then broken limbs or suffocation. You can get a kit to stabilize the drop side from the crib manufacture if you want.

Jenifer - posted on 01/14/2012

Drop side cribs! Oh no!



Although can someone clarify, are they dangerous because people leave the side down and kids fall out? Or do kids get stuck?

Lara - posted on 01/14/2012

I put all those plastic outlet covers in too. Of course my smart alecs didn't mess with the outlets at all until I put them in. I had the crib bumpers for all 4 kids and drop side cribs too. And go ahead worst mommy of the year.... I put them on their stomachs to sleep! They are now 15,9,7 and 5.

Cinnamon - posted on 01/14/2012

Well I have several products in my house that have actually been recalled and 3 years later I'm using them for baby #2, I think most of the reason they do recalls is to avoid lawsuits, but if you pay attention and think the product isn't the issue. I couldn't believe my doctor told me not to use a baby walker, I have never had a problem because my kids are always supervised. If we all practiced responsible parenting there would be so many less problems. Of course I think we mostly get suckered into buying unnecessary baby gear as well, so if you're not sure keep it simple, kids don't know the difference.

Laura - posted on 01/13/2012

Any baby product can be dangerous if you're not present and paying attention....common sense (the biggest oxymoron ever) should prevail. I know that walkers are a big no-no, but i used them anyway with my twins (no stairs in my house)

Jenifer - posted on 01/13/2012

I'm suprised no one mentioned the bath seats! I'm not sure if they got recalled or not, but I heard about how dangerous they were. Apparently they are prone to tipping and the kid can climb out and drown...



I had one and I found it to be AWESOME!

It only started to tip once and I stopped it, and I didn't let the kidlet climb out.

The only way the kid could drown would be if there were no adults there when it flipped or slipped IMO



As for Bumbos, I loved mine... the kids would sit on the table while we ate dinner, and we fed them their first meals in it.



We use the socket covers here and at the school where I work...



Common sense is the key to raising kidlets...

Lynda - posted on 01/13/2012

Plug covers, still use them with my 4 year old. He can't get them out nor can I without a flat head screw driver ( darn nail biting!). Never had a problem with them. I think they want you to buy the more expensive sliding ones. Drop sided crib, raised in one, my brother used mine and I used one for my son. Best thing I ever had, never had a problem with it. Being short, it worked great getting my son in and out of the crib. Back in 2007 they were not dangerous, although some people had issues with them. I think for the most part, not all but some were just flat out put together wrong. Some problems could be due to overseas manufacturing. I still stand by my drop side crib. It's in the attic and I would not hesitate to bring it down if needed. I also had the crib bumpers, never had a problem. My son cuddled up to it, back to it, nice and comfy. I kept it in longer than one is supposed to since my son loved it so much. Kept his stuffies in there nice too. Never used the Bumbo baby seat, hammock or warm mist humidifier. I grew up with way more hazards than kids today do and came out fine. I think a lot is based on accidents or incidents reported, but honestly, I think a lot can be attributed to people just not watching their child. When my son was small I never took my eyes off of him except when he napped and I still checked in on him. I still watch him like a hawk and he is very energetic and gets into a lot. A lot of the issues come down to common sense. I would never put my son in a Bumbo, on a table and leave him there unattended. Same thing with the warm mist humidifiers, keep it out of their reach. My brother used one in the 60's and never burned his fingers/hands. My mom kept it way out of our reach up on a dresser. Common sense people!

Katherine - posted on 01/13/2012

Right, that's what the blogger is saying. This is ridiculous.

Janice - posted on 01/12/2012

1. I was given a hand-me-down bumbo and we only used it on the table while we ate dinner so if she started to squirm we would take her out no biggie. Otherwise she was in it on the floor. But my daughter sat well at 5 months so it wasnt used much.

2. Not sure what a baby hammock is.....

3. Used a cool humidifier when my daughter was little until our hard water destroyed it oops. Then my daughter got ill and we needed one asap and so my hubby bought a cheap one - it is a warm mist one but we only use when she is in her crib at night and the steam is warm at best so I'm not concerned about burns. mold and bacteria can grow in cold mist ones too so the risk is the same - just clean it :)

4. Are you kidding me? I too struggle to get the outlet covers off to vacuum so I'm not too worried.

5. I was aware of the suffocation risk of bumpers. So used the pretty bumper that matched her bedding about 3 months and then started using a breathable bumper.



My son is 6 weeks old and I will use all of these "dangerous" items for him too. Common sense goes a long way! :)

Gena - posted on 01/12/2012

I think they need to screen ppl before they have babies. Nothing is fool proof. A baby can knock themselves out on a crib if they fall hard enough. I mean clearly you shouldn't set your bumbo on high up surfaces. It's not secure why would you do that? Parents need to use some common sense when placing there babies anywhere or in any thing.

Jenna - posted on 01/12/2012

I still use the Plastic outlet covers and am not worried about it. I also refuse to use cool mist humidifiers after I used one when I was a single person living on my own and felt sicker then next day. It's like being out in the cold damp air, how the heck is that supposed to help you feel better? Just keep the warm mist humidifiers out of the kids' reach, clean them out regularly, and air out the room regularly. And if the baby dies of SIDS, then it's not caused by the crib bumper, which would be "suffocation" which is not SIDS. I use the crib bumper tied on really tight on both top and bottom rather than let my kid get their leg/arm stuck between the rails and break it. I've never even heard of a baby hammock but that just sounds dangerous. As far as the Bumbo, hello, of course they're dangerous if used on an elevated surface, which is why we never put ours on one, it's always on the floor.



I don't think there is a way to stay truly on top of what's deemed dangerous by the "experts".

S. - posted on 01/12/2012

I'm 100% like you with the plug socket covers, I can never get them out so god knows how babies do! I had a bumbo with my middle girl and it was a god send and was used and better used she was a chunky baby, we tried it with our youngest and she would slip out of it so we never bothered I alway put it down to her being a small petite child, I had a cot bumper with my oldest (now nearly 13) but we was "advised" against it when I had my youngest too, last year there was a worning about blind cords as a baby sadly hung it's self with the blind cord (although that's not a baby product)

They advise against baby walkers I had them with all mine and never had a problem un till I found my youngest had slid out of it head first over the top luckily she was fine (we never used it again)

Vicki - posted on 01/12/2012

What's this based on? Actual accidents or just guessing the possibilities? I used a hammock, for day sleeps when he was about 2 months. Not sure if there are different types of hammocks but there was never any fabric near his face. I tried a friend's bumbo and my boy's thighs were too big to fit in it. When he slimmed down a few months later he could sit anyway so no point.



We had plug covers, I think the plugs may be different here, I can't see how they'd be a choking hazard unless bub actually chewed it up. Of course he'd have to take it out first which is hard, and the entire point of the things. Better than him finding something metal to shove in the socket I think.