It’s funny. Now that we all have access to the sum total of human knowledge at our fingertips, it seems like bad information spreads even faster than it did before smart phones happened. To help combat this, I figured I would list the 50 pieces of bad information I run across the most frequently, and the truth behind them all.
1. Strangers Are Dangerous - the overwhelming majority of harm to children comes from adults they (and you) already know.
2. Only Adults Need to Know First Aid - even smaller kids can learn the basics, which both empowers them and helps them know how to communicate about their own booboos and injuries.
3. Hand Sanitizer is a Magic Cleaning Bullet - it’s helpful, but you need to use it properly. Wipe your hands like you’re washing them.
4. Playgrounds are Safe - they can be, but often go a long time without maintenance. Give any new playground a quick once-over, and check places you regularly visit every once in a while.
5. You Can’t Get Sunburned On Cloudy Days. - yes you can. Dress and paint up accordingly.
6. A Smoke Alarm Is Sufficient Fire Protection - you should also have a CO detector and fire extinguishers. A two-story (or higher) house also needs fire ladders, and in some regions a Radon detector is a good idea.
7. Coughing is the Sign of Choking - choking is often silent. In fact, if they’re coughing they probably aren’t choking. Choking only happens if air can get through.
8. Window Screens Can Prevent Falls - nope. The best plan for high windows and kids is to keep it locked and closed.
9. You Know How to Install a Car Seat - you probably don’t. Neither do I. And if we know how to install the last one, this new one might be different. Go to one of those free installation events and get a pro to do it.
10. Toy Companies Care About Safety - well, some do…but don’t count on it. Check recall.gov to see about any toy you want to bring into your house.
11. They’ll Be Okay for “Just a Minute” - you already know how much chaos and mischief your child can get up to in one minute. If they won’t be okay for an hour, they won’t be okay.
12. That Helmet is On Okay - it’s probably not. Fasten it in place under the chin, then try to rotate the helmet. If it moves and your kid’s head stays put, it’s too loose.
13. You Don’t Need to Watch Over the Counter Medications - overdoses on some can be even more dangerous than with some prescription drugs. Manage all medications the same way.
14. Space Heaters are Safe - they’re warm, and sometimes necessary…but keep a five-foot space clear around them and manage the electrical load.
15. You’re Good to Drive Buzzed -if you’re 95% as good as when you’re fully sober, that 5% might make the difference in a tight spot.
16. Parental Controls Make the Internet Safe - kids and predators both know how to get around them. Parental controls are helpful, but are only a first step.
17. Holiday Decorations Are Perfectly Safe - some are, some aren’t. Check everything on a case by case basis, and consider storing some until the kids are older.
18. Batteries Should be Included - batteries pose burn and choking hazards to little ones. Avoid battery-operated toys when possible. When not, add and remove them for supervised playtime.
19. You Should Hide a Spare Key - bad guys know about spare keys. If you really want to hide one, hide it at your neighbor’s place.
20. Halloween is Dangerous Because of Abductions - no more than other nights, and arguably less so because people are out and about. Fire, choking, hypothermia, and traffic accidents are much more serious issues on this night.
21. Babies Need their Stuffies - stuffed animals are a great daytime playmate, but a suffocation risk at night. Stuffies should sleep in a special place, visible but separate from the crib.
22. Capes are Great Halloween Costumes - they trip kids and are fire hazards. If a costume really needs one, have them carry it to a destination then wear it carefully for a while.
23. Teachers Have Time to Protect Your Child - they want to, but they have 30 kids to look after. You, the principal, and the other school staff need to be involved as well.
24. Young Kids Can’t Memorize Your Phone Number - they should, and can as early as 3. Just change the password of their favorite mobile device to your phone number.
25. Kids Should Wear Winter Coats in the Car - those coats are thick enough to make seatbelts and child seats less effective. Use the car heater instead.
26. Trampolines are a Good Idea - they’re only good for orthopedic surgeons and personal injury lawyers.
27. Sparklers are Great on July 4th - they burn at over 5,000 degrees. If a child trips and pins it under themselves, you’re looking at a 3rd degree burn.
28. You Don’t Need Sunblock in the Winter - this is true when it’s really socked in with clouds, but those clear winter days are sunburn central.
29. That Dresser is Fine - if it’s above hip height, it’s at risk of tipping if a child climbs or reaches. See also your bookcase. Mount tall furniture securely to a stud.
30. You Know How to Use a Fire Extinguisher - not unless you’ve used one in the past year. Buy a cheap one and take it on your next camping trip, and have everybody practice on the campfire.
31. Kids Need Soft Pillows and Blankets - for babies and toddlers, any pillow can be a smothering hazard, and any blanket can be a choking hazard. Opt for an empty bed and warm jammies.
32. Non-GMO Foods Are Essential - not even a little bit. Organic (when it’s meaningful) can reduce pesticide residue, but the GMO scare is not something informed experts consider real.
33. A Drowning Child is Easy to Spot - drowning is quiet. That’s why every swimming expedition requires a sober, alert adult focused on the kids.
34. You Should Be Very Worried About BPAs - nope. There’s some shaky evidence they’re a problem, but the doctors I trust say the stress and aggravation of avoiding them does more harm than they do. Just don’t microwave containers with BPAs.
35. That’s Too Small to Choke On - if it’s as thick as the child’s pinky at its largest dimension, it’s large enough for a child to choke on.
36. That’s Too Big to Choke On - if it can fit through a toilet paper or paper towel tube, it’s large enough for a child to half-swallow.
37. Bath Burns Are the Most Common - always be careful for hot water in the bath, but your coffee or tea is much more likely to cause this kind of boo-boo.
38. Natural Cleaners are Non-Toxic - not reliably, especially since some companies will “green-wash” poisons. Always check the ingredient list, and recruit the internet if you need help.
39. A Messy Room is No Problem - tripping hazards, choking hazards, and even mental health issues can come from a messy room. Besides, setting and meeting those expectations helps train them for adult life.
40. Kids Outgrow Food Allergies - sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. Have your doctor test them if you think they have. Never “field test” for this potentially lethal affliction.
41. That Stove is Safe - it can be, but make sure those handles are turned inward. If you use an electric stove, keep a pan over any burners you use until it’s completely cooled off.
42. Dog Breeds Indicate Level of Safety - rottweilers aren’t especially dangerous, and golden labs aren’t especially safe. It’s a matter of training and upbringing. Don’t trust or not trust a dog until you have the facts.
43. You Can “Sniff Test” Leftovers - food-borne pathogens don’t always show themselves by smell. Use temperature and cooking controls to be certain.
44. Childproof Locks Always Work - kids figure out how to beat them far earlier than we think. Always have a backup (for example, lock medicines and cleaning supplies in a cabinet that’s also up high out of reach).
45. Your Child Needs a Multivitamin - they probably don’t. The average North American diet delivers the nutrients they’ll need. Plus, lots of vitamins have fillers and additives that aren’t particularly good for kids.
46. They Don’t Need a Helmet for That - scooters, skates, skateboards, and anything else that moves faster than a walk is safest with a helmet, and probably knee and elbow pads.
47. This Rental Is Safe - hotel room, beach house, AirBnB, whatever…always give your room and any public areas a careful once-over looking for hazards.
48. Cyberbullying Isn’t “Real Life”, So It’s No Big Deal. Studies show the opposite. It’s in many ways worse, in large part because it can happen 24/7 because of internet access.
49. A Little Water Is Just Fine — a toddler can drown in as little as an inch of water. Especially after it rains, check outside for standing water in containers, and puddles on the ground.
50, You Don’t Need a Break - you are a better protector if you’ve had enough physical, mental, and emotional rest. Prioritize getting some.
What did I miss? There are way more than 50 of these. Please comment, or hop over onto our Facebook, to share what you know.