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Accidents in the home | Hayfever in pregnancy | Does coffee increase the risk of miscarriage? | Pregnancy dos and don'ts | When to get urgent help for your baby

Accidents in the home

Nearly half of all childhood accidental injuries occur at home and in the garden. Whether your child has become mobile yet or not it is never too early to carry out a survey of your home to pinpoint potential danger areas and take the necessary safety measures.

Childhood deaths in the home can occur in house fires, by drowning, through suffocation or choking, falling from a height such as out of a window, and from poisoning.

Home injuries can occur anywhere inside the home or in the garden. The five most common locations - in order - are living/dining room, garden, kitchen, stairs, and bedroom.

Accidental injuries in the home are varied, the four most common types are:

Falls

Falls account for almost 25% of all home accidental injuries to children. They are the most common single cause of home accidental injury. Babies, toddlers and older children can fall out of people's arms, from furniture, down steps and stairs, from windows and over objects on the ground.

Safety measures you can take:

• Fit safety barriers to the top and bottom of stairs



• Horizontal banister or balcony railings can be climbed up - change them to vertical railings or board them up



• Fit safety catches on upstairs windows



• Keep furniture away from windows



• Never leave babies unattended on furniture or changing tables, they can easily roll off



• Don't put bouncy chairs or carry cots on tables or counter tops



• Wipe up spills as soon as they happen to avoid slips



• Encourage children to put their toys away after use



• Fix loose carpets and mats and do not have trailing flexes.

Striking or collision with a person or an object

This is the second most common type of accidental home injury and the only one where the injury rates are approximately the same for both younger children (birth to five years) and for older children (ages five years to 14).

Safety measures you can take:

• Fit corner guards to sharp edges of furniture.

Burns and scalds

This is the third most common type of home injury and it affects babies and toddlers three times more frequently than children over five years. Scalds from hot drinks are the most common cause.

Safety measures you can take:

• Fit smoke alarms and check regularly that they are working



• Close doors at night to stop fire spreading



• If possible install a fire extinguisher and fire blanket



• Keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach of small children



• Use fireguards on all heaters and fires and do not use them to dry clothes



• Keep children away from ovens, hobs and hotplates



• Turn pot handles towards the back of the stove and use back rings for cooking when possible



• Never fill a chip pan more than one third full and never leave a hot chip pan unattended



• Use short or curly flexes with kettles and keep them out of the reach of children



• Do not hold a child when you have a hot drink and keep mugs and cups of hot drinks well out of the reach of young children



• Adjust the hot water so that it comes out of the tap at less than 55ºC



• Turn irons off immediately after use and never leave the flex dangling



• Put cold water in the bath first then add hot water.

Poisoning

Poisonings, the fourth most common type of home injury, occur when children eat or drink medicines, household cleaners and chemicals, DIY and gardening substances. Over 90% of children accidentally poisoned in the home are under five years.

Safety measures you can take:

• Keep all medicines out of sight and reach of children - preferably in a locked cupboard



• Keep dangerous substances out of reach of children - these include household chemicals such as cleaners, detergents and bleach, as well as DIY material such as paints, thinners, strippers, varnishes. glues and other adhesives



• Remember that perfumes, essential oils and alcohol can also be poisonous to children and keep them out of reach



• Keep all dangerous substances in original containers.

Other injuries in the home include cutting, piercing, crushing, pinching, suffocation, choking and near drowning.

Safety measures you can take:

Drowning

• Always supervise children in or near water



• Never leave a small child (under 5) alone in a bath even for a moment



• Empty the bath as well as buckets and other water containers immediately after use



• Drain or securely cover the garden pond.

Cutting and piercing

• Fit safety glass in low level glass in doors and windows or board them up



• Attach safety film to any glass in furniture, or re-fit with safety glass



• Mark large areas of glass with stickers



• Fit safety catches on drawers containing sharp cutlery and knives



• Keep kitchen gadgets and sewing materials out of reach.

Suffocation, strangling and choking

• Pillows, duvets and bean bags should not be used for babies under one year



• Never use strings, ribbons and ties on very young children's clothes



• Strings on toys over cots or playpens should be shorter than 20cms



• Never string toys across a cot or pram



• Stay with children when they are drinking or eating and get them to sit still



• Supervise small children if they are eating small pieces of fruit or vegetables



• Do not give peanuts to children under six years



• Keep small objects like coins and parts of toys away from young children



• Always keep plastic bags and plastic film away from children



• Follow the age recommendations on toys - they are there for a reason.

Many accidental injuries that occur in the home and garden are fortunately relatively uncomplicated, but some are severe and may involve serious and long-term consequences.

Keep emergency numbers near telephones and first aid supplies, and ensure they are clearly visible.

Information provided by the Child Accident Prevention Trust ( CAPT)

Hayfever in pregnancy

Hayfever or seasonal allergic rhinitis usually occurs in Spring and early Summer and is an allergy mainly to tree, grass and plant pollens. Around 15% of the population suffer from this condition.

Any regular sufferer will be familiar with the symptoms which are:

• runny or stuffed up nose



• sneezing



• itchy eyes, nose and throat



• sore throat



• puffy eyes.

Antihistamines and nasal sprays are widely available to relieve these symptoms, however pregnant women are advised to avoid taking any medication, unless prescribed by a doctor, even if it is available over-the-counter without a prescription.

Although there is no conclusive evidence that antihistamines in pregnancy can cause fetal defects, unless you suffer from very severe hayfever symptoms your doctor will probably suggest you try to manage your hayfever naturally, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, when your baby is developing and most vulnerable to damage.

The following precautions can help relieve the symptoms of hayfever:

• mid-morning and late evening are generally the worst time for hayfever. This is because most pollen is released in the morning. It rises as the air warms up, but comes down again when the air cools in the evening. Try to avoid being out and about at these times



• keep windows closed and use an air ioniser (for pollen)



• use a vacuum cleaner with a pollen filter and vacuum as often as possible (even better get your partner to do it!)



• dust with a damp cloth, so you're not just moving the dust around



• keep the car windows closed when driving



• avoid flowers in the house



• don't cut the grass on hot sunny days



• wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen



• splash your eyes with cold water at regular intervals



• soothe your eyes using cool eye masks or teabags (chamomile tea is particularly soothing)



• pets can bring pollen into the house on their fur so try keep them outside



• smear petroleum jelly around your nostrils to prevent pollen from getting onto the lining of the nose.



• increase your consumption of vitamin C rich foods - vitamin C is a natural antihistamine



• sprinkle a few drops of lavender oil on your handkerchief and sniff it during the day



• if you are planning a holiday you may like to take into account that the lowest pollen levels are usually found in the mountains and around beaches with an on-shore breeze



• Check the pollen forecast every day.

Does coffee increase the risk of miscarriage?

Looking at the link between coffee drinking and miscarriage can be a confusing business: some studies can't find any risk at all; some only find a link when coffee drinking is high; and others suggest an increased risk of miscarriage even if you only drink moderate amounts.

Why are results so inconsistent? One reason is that it's difficult to get very accurate recall from women who participate in the studies about exactly how much coffee and, in particular, caffeine, has been taken. And, we know that lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol also increase the risk.

To research exactly how much caffeine had been consumed by participants in a recent study, scientists writing in the New England Journal of Medicine looked at levels of a coffee by-product in the blood. They found there was no increase in the risk of miscarriage with less than six cups per day, but it was doubled with any greater intake.

How does caffeine affect the body?

Caffeine is a stimulant; it increases your metabolism and your heart rate, and has the same effects on your baby as it does on you. There is no evidence to suggest that a few cups of coffee each day will harm your baby. Caffeine is also is a diuretic, a substance which encourages your kidneys to lose water, so do drink plenty of water to prevent headaches and ensure good hydration. Too much caffeine can also make you feel jittery and other side-effects can include difficulty in sleeping and headaches. Don't drink it with meals, or within one hour after a meal, as the tannins it contains can bind with - and reduce - your body's ability to absorb important minerals such as iron, needed for healthy blood.

Should I give up coffee while I'm pregnant?

You don't have to cut coffee from the menu completely, but it does seem sensible to keep your daily intake to no more than five or six cups of coffee, 10 cups of tea or 12 glasses of cola. If you're in the early stages of pregnancy, you may find that nausea takes care of your craving for caffeine anyway: it can put you off strong flavours such as coffee. Researchers have found that the link between nausea and miscarriage is important for another reason, too: studies show that women who have nausea have reduced levels of miscarriage, regardless of coffee intake.

Tips for cutting down on caffeine

• Cut down on coffee slowly if you're used to drinking lots of it or other caffeinated drinks. Let your body adjust by reducing your intake of caffeine gradually, so you and your body don't feel deprived.
• Replace some drinks with low-caffeine or caffeine-free alternatives such as diluted fruit juice, mineral water and fruit teas (but be careful about herb teas, as not all are suitable during pregnancy).
• Remember tea, cola and chocolate also contain caffeine.
• Check the label of over-the-counter drugs as some contain caffeine. In any case, check with your doctor or pharmacist before you take any medications to make sure they're suitable for use during pregnancy.
• Brew tea or coffee for a shorter time and use less coffee in filter machines.
• Switch from fresh to instant coffee and/or a decaffeinated variety.
• Opt for green tea.
• Choose lemonade instead of cola.
• Enjoy mineral water diluted with a squeeze of lime, some fresh mango juice or freshly squeezed orange juice.

For more advice on coffee and pregnancy, speak to your midwife or doctor.

Pregnancy dos and don'ts

Now that you are pregnant, there is a lot to learn and plenty to think about. You'll get off to a flying start, however, if you follow these basic Dos and Don'ts.

Do

• Do have a dental check-up as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed.
• Do drink at least 1 litre of fluid per day.
• Do take a folic acid supplement to prevent neural tube defects in your baby.
• Do eat a well-balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Do inform your employer about your pregnancy as soon as you know.
• Do join an antenatal class.
• Do carry your case notes with you all the time.
• Do relax or sleep as often as you can, and accept help with strenuous chores.
• Do wear comfortable clothing.
• Do let your partner participate in your pregnancy - it's his baby, too!

Don't

• Don't smoke or go to places where there is a smoky atmosphere.
• Don't drink alcohol.
• Don't take drugs.
• Don't eat raw or undercooked meat, or dairy products made from unpasteurised milk.
• Don't take medication, unless prescribed by your doctor.
• Don't exercise as vigorously as you might have done before pregnancy. You should always be able to speak in a normal voice, with your heart rate not exceeding 140 beats per minute, after exercising when pregnant.
• Don't go near children (and anyone else) with an infectious disease.
• Don't get too much sun. Sunbathing lowers your blood pressure and can lead to irregular brown spots on your skin.
• Don't wear your high-heels while you are pregnant. It is much easier to maintain that all-important posture on lower heels (your back muscles help support the weight of your baby).
• Don't miss out on any rights and benefits to which you are entitled.

When to get urgent help for your baby

When it comes to the health of your new baby, take no chances, and always follow your instincts. Your GP, midwife and public heath nurse will all encourage you to call anytime you have a question or are worried about your baby’s health or behaviour, but seeking medical help is a priority when:

1. Your baby has a fit or convulsion (even if you have doubts because you have never seen one before – if you think it looks like it, call!)

2. He/she seems very limp, sleepy and lethargic, can only be woken for a short time and does not want to be fed. Also when he/she looks blue or very pale

3. Your baby feels very hot or very cold to the touch, and adjusting his/her clothing or moving him/her to a cooler/warmer room does not make a difference after 30 minutes

4. He/she looks dehydrated, has a sunken fontanelle, loose skin and a dry mouth

5. Your baby’s stools smell bad, are loose, greenish, watery or streaked with blood

6. There is blood in your baby’s urine

7. He/she vomits frequently (more than the usual little spitting up after meals)

8. Your baby has breathing difficulties or very rapid breathing, has a croupy cough or a bubbly nose

9. Your baby’s eyes are sticky or discharging

10. Something unusual happens to your baby, for example, he/she is dropped or stung by an insect.

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