The Importance of Plug Socket Covers

Plug sockets covers protect young children from the dangers of electrocution.

There are many power points in the home, in nurseries, play gyms and schools. Obvious ones that spring to mind include the television, DVD player, CD player, musical instruments, toaster, vacuum cleaner, etc...  In order to protect your little ones from harm we recommend plug socket covers when the items are not plugged in.

Toddlers and pre-school children in particular are naturally curious about holes in the wall and are unaware of the dangers these may pose. Placing their fingers in a socket may seem like a game to a young child but could lead to a risk of electrocution. As a parent you may have already decided to use plus socket covers in your home, but what about when your child goes to day care...?

Mums will be the first ones to notice the presence of such indispensable safety items on the walls as they take their first tour of a nursery or playgroup. Mums tend to have hawk eyes when it comes to the safety of their children.  A facility showing respect for good standards of safety will thrive. Parents will share their positive views and opinions and a positive reputation will follow and ensure the future of this business.

In a nursery, practitioners will do a health and safety check on the premises. It is seen as good practice to involve children in this practice to educate them on the dangers around the setting. Children may be explained why covers are placed over plug sockets as part of a lesson and it would be seen by Ofsted as excellent practice.

Plug sockets covers are life saving items that nurseries cannot afford to dismiss as they provide peace of mind for practitioners and parents.

Children’s safety depends on adult’s good judgement and common sense. Adopting measures of good practice saves lives and educates younger generations on adopting safe habits. Everybody is a winner!

How to Spend Time With a Toddler (And Not Get Boohooed)

 

Forget Simon Cowell, forget even Statler and Waldorf from the Muppet Show; when it comes to difficult-to-please audiences children are -by far- the “crème de la crème”. And they will do anything to prove that last statement: they will throw their toys back at you, they will cry, they will get cranky, they might pick a corner and stand there like a stork for hours. But they will definitely not want to spend their time with an “old” man that bores them. So, if you think that spending a few hours with a toddler is going to rejuvenate you… think again. You are not always facing elimination after this challenge, though. All you have to do is get prepared and creative. 

1. Take him on a journey to imaginary worlds

Donald Winnicott was the first psychoanalyst to study thoroughly children’s bond with toys and playing; he argued that when a child is playing (be it with a toy car or just a carton) this imaginary world that he creates absorbs him completely to the point of acting as if it was real! No wonder then why children love to play: these way they are able to process their emotions, deal with emotional issues that cause them anxiety (like an abusive parent or a parents’ divorce) and understand the real world around them. So, the first -and most important- advice is “play with him”. Build amazing scenarios together; use carton boxes, egg holders or even plain paper sheets to construct “Lalaland” or to fly in your “Amaziplane”! Most important of all: act as if an Oscar depended on your performance. 

2. Introduce yourself to the population of Toyland

His toys are his best friends; he wants to play with them all the time, he cares for them, he introduces them to everyone in the room. So… stick around for the introductions, state that you are honoured that you met Spiderman in person and ask if you can join them. He’ll always be willing to pass you to the “bad guys” and confront you in his room arena.  

3.  Read an exciting story (or make it one)

We all love stories; that’s why we go to the movies or read a novel or… gossip. The little ones adore hearing all there is about Cinderella or Peter Pan or any fictional character; diving into mythical or imaginary worlds never gets old. Read a book together; if he already knows the story act surprised and ask him to tell you e-ve-ry-thing he knows. If you have brought your own books give him a brief summary and let him choose which story he prefers to hear. If there are no books around tell him a story that you know by heart or make up one on the spot. Or why not visit the local library together? Adding a bit of outdoors adventure will definitely give you some points in the “Likable Adult” scale. 

4. Give him some space

As much as you think that you need time to yourself… so does he! Everyone needs his own space and time, even children. Be careful, though; that doesn’t mean that you can lead your own, separate lives! Give him a task, e.g. to assemble that racing track in order to hold a race later on between you two, and tell him what time you will be back to check how he’s getting on. This way he will feel safe and also perceive his time alone as valuable. Do not just leave him unsupervised in a room. Instead put him in a room with a safety gate to make sure that he’s safe at all times. Check on him every five minutes or, even better, sit somewhere where you can maintain visual contact at all times. When you rejoin him ask him to explain how he managed to build this masterpiece or how he spent his time alone. 

5. Embrace the chefs in you

Words like “pesto”, “a la crème” or “marinade” might be all Greek to you. On special occasions though (and spending time with a toddler is a special occasion) you should explore this terra nova together. Children absolutely love to get creative and, yes, dirty! Browse in a recipe book or online for a simple but fun-to-make children’s dish. Appoint him chef and yourself sous-chef; you do all the cutting and peeling, he does the difficult stuff: whatever includes getting his hands in flour, dough or dish decoration! Talk about the food; does he know which food is healthy and which is not, which dishes have the “yummy” factor and which ones the “sound the alarm” factor for him etc. Enjoy your meal together and complement each other on the result. (Oh, and make noises to show how much you like your meal.)

6. Order an original painting

Crayons, pencils and markers are always magical tools in the eyes of the little ones. Give them an empty sheet and a pencil and they can fill it in seconds. Ask him to draw a picture just for you. Don’t tell him what to draw, leave it all to his imagination. You can also sit together, cut pictures from magazines and newspapers and make a collage together! To add a touch of creative perfection ask him to sign it at the bottom… like all great painters do.

For more information on child safety products please visit our website or contact us!

Why Bedtime Stories are Never Out of Fashion

I still remember those few minutes before surrendering to Morpheus as a child. Usually something terrible had happened; a dragon would be threating to burn down a castle or a goodhearted giant would be left alone in his garden… I also remember my dad’s voice, warm and calm no matter what. Even when the most terrible things occurred and I was seriously considering the option of screaming, his tone suggested that in the end everything was going to be fine.

Most children are ready to sign an anti-bedtime manifesto when it’s time to go to sleep. But if the parents make sure that there is a great story waiting for them under the pillow then bed time can become the day’s highlight.

Recent surveys have indicated that reading to your child -especially when he’s lying in bed and is unlikely to get distracted- enhances his language and communication skills. Most children’s books have vivid, colourful pictures that nurture the child’s creativity. What’s more, with their morals and problem solving endings they stimulate his imagination and coping mechanisms.

A few months ago a new survey showed that at least half of the British parents have little or no free time for bedtime stories; only 50% read bedtime stories to their children on a daily basis whereas 10% admitted reading a bedtime story once every… six months! Yet in this computer-centered era nothing seems to be working better than a bedtime story. The routine of letting your toddler decide which story he wants to hear and then lifting off to brave, new worlds with you on his side is invaluable; it strengthens the emotional bonds between you and your child and helps him feel secure.  

The majority amongst us feel exhausted at the end of a hard day’s night. I urge you, though, to read to your little ones because I know you are in for a big surprise. Reading will help you relax as well and will offer you some real quality time with your precious. As soon as the story is finished, don’t hesitate to answer to his questions, if he’s got any. Remember though to keep excitement out of the room at all times, since it’s the calm voice that will help him relax and fall asleep.

When exiting the room make sure that you leave a soft night light on, like Light My Way night light by Lindam! This is a portable led night light with an easy grasp handle that will become your toddler’s best night pal! Shaped as the cutest owl you’ve ever seen, it remains cool no matter how long it stays on and its batteries last up to 120 hours! If your child hasn’t fallen asleep when you leave his room he will not be frightened in the idea of being left alone in a dark room and if he wakes up during the night he won’t panic.

I know that sometimes adults are not that different from children; all I need in order to sleep well is a good book, a comforting light and two loving arms around me… So there is only one thing left to do; decide which story you are going to read to him tonight!    

Improve baby safety with the Xtra Guard Safety Accessories

One of the proudest moments in every new parent’s life is when his baby takes his first step. And although that might seem like a small step for your child, it is a giant leap for your life at home. After a while curiosity takes over and nothing seems able to slow him down. Nothing? Well, fortunately Lindam can help you baby proof your house and protect your toddler with the Xtra Guard Safety Accessories, a range of baby safety products with an innovative dual locking system.

Cupboards are like baby magnets; as soon as your baby is able to get his hands on a cupboard (or anything with hidden content, actually)… he will. However, most of the times cupboards contain objects unsuitable or dangerous for children. Instead of rearranging everything and ending up with a stuffed attic choose our Dual Locking Multi-Purpose Latch. This multi-functioning latch will help prevent your child from opening cupboards, cabinets or even electrical appliances! Its unique design makes it suitable for a number of different surfaces; from curved and angled to glass, metallic, wooden or plastic! With a double action unlocking mechanism and a one handed lock that clicks into place, this baby proofing accessory provides enhanced safety. When children are not around, you can unlock and turn it by 90⁰ and use your drawers or cabinets as usual!

If you are interested in baby proofing the top drawers, or even cupboards and lower drawers, why not try the Dual Locking Drawer and Cupboard Latch pack of six safe catches? Even though it seems infeasible, toddlers tend to climb on chairs and lower cupboards and reach for hidden treasures in the upper cabinets. Innovative and resistant, this child safety latch will make it impossible for your toddler to open a cupboard but still keep it simple for you, thanks to its unique release systems!

  

If it’s a corner drawer or cabinet that worries you you can try the Dual Locking Angle Latch. This child safety lock features an innovative three-position lock mechanism that offers you the ability to choose between “Double Lock On” (for ultimate safety), “Lock On” (for enhanced safety) and “Lock Off” (for unhindered access). (And if it’s the corner itself that worries you, then you can fit an Energy Absorbing Corner Cushion and rest assured that it will no longer pose any danger to your baby!)

Finally, if the thought of milk spilled all over the kitchen floor terrifies you, then the Dual Locking Appliance Latch, designed specifically for electrical appliances, will keep your toddler away from the fridge (can’t guarantee the same for lickerish adults though)!   

For more information please visit our Xtra GuardSafety Accessories page.

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