Keep Your Child Safe at Home

Click here for a list to make sure your home is safe for your child to live and play.

A Quick Checklist of things to Keep Handy:

Thermometer

Rectal thermometers should be used for babies under a year. Children aged 1-3 years can hold an oral thermometer under their armpit (add ~2 F for accuracy). Kids older than 3 years can hold an oral thermometer in their mouths. Digital models are preferable to the glass type for safety. Ear thermometers are not recommended, especially for younger children.

Bulb Syringe

Useful to clean mucous out of babies noses and to clean ear wax out of older childrens ears.

Antibiotic Ointment

After cleaning wounds (soap and water +/- disinfectant) dab bacitracin or polysporin onto cleaned wound to speed healing and ward off infection. Unless it is serious, a cut will heal faster if left uncovered.

Bandage Supplies

Band-aids in assorted sizes and shapes are perfect for small cuts. For larger wounds, make your own bandage with individually packaged 4 inch sterile gauze pads, a roll of 3 inch wide gauze, and a roll of 1 inch bandage tape.

Instant Ice Packs

These require no freezing and can quickly be applied to bumps and burns. You can also easily make one by leaving a bag of rice in the freezer.

Aloe Vera Gel

To treat a non serious burn, cool the area with water before applying gel (10% aloe vera gel is best) and a wrapped cold pack.

Cortisone Cream

1% hydrocortisone cream is an anti-inflammatory drug that will soothe rashes (e.g. poison oak, diaper rash).

Pain and Fever Reliever

Children’s Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Children’s Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen). Never give aspirin to a child with a fever. See dosing charts or call office for dosing information.

Antihistamine

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can calm mild allergic reactions.

Saline nose drops

Useful to clean liquify mucous in babies noses to make removal with bulb syringe easier.

Plus… Humidifier, Hot Water Bottle, Tweezers, Scissors, Cotton Swabs, Q-tips, Safety Pins and Pedialyte or Gatorade.