« Return to Resources Index Every Home Should Have... I believe in safety for the families I work with! If you have children in your home, you should have these items! 1. Digital Thermometer Please do not use mercury thermometers! Mercury is a very dangerous substance and there are safe alternatives. Don't waste your time and money on ear thermometers or pacifier thermometers. They are very inaccurate. Besides, when your baby is ill, the pediatrician is going to want to know the rectal temperature. Doing a rectal temp bothers you as a parent more than it bothers your baby! With a digital thermometer, you get the reading in seconds (as opposed to 3-4 minutes with an old-fashioned mercury type). 2. Vaseline or Non-Petroleum Based Lubricant You need it to lubricate the end of your digital thermometer to take baby's temperature. 3. Humidifier Helps baby breathe easier during a cold. I recommend the cool mist types as they are less likely to harbor bacteria. 4. Nasal Aspirator (suction bulb) Most likely you will get one from your hospital or birth place. Suctioning mucous helps prevent ear infections and makes your baby more comfortable… although s/he will hate you for it while you are doing it! 5. Saline Drops (Ayr, Little Noses) Use to soften and loosen mucous before using the suction bulb. You can find it in the cold medicine aisle. 6. Medicine Spoon Dropper For accurate medicine dosages. 7. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) For fever reducing. Never give without your pediatrician's permission and dosage information. Be sure to have an infant type, not children's or adults! 8. Ibuprofen (Advil) For fever reducing. Never give without your pediatrician's permission and dosage information. Be sure to have an infant type, not children's or adults! 9. First Aid Kit Include bandages, disinfectant, gauze, burn cream/gel, latex gloves, chemical ice and heat pack, scissors, alcohol pads, cotton balls. Also pack inside the first aid kit any emergency numbers (pediatrician, poison control, etc) so that you have them readily available. 10. Tweezers To remove splinters (there are lots of hardwood floors and wooden decks in our area. Once baby starts rolling, crawling & walking you need to have this tool!) 11. Ipecac Syrup I hope you never have to use this. It is an emetic (induces vomiting). DO NOT USE WITHOUT DOCTOR OR POISION CONTROL'S ADVICE! If you need it, you need it immediately & every second counts. Keep a bottle on every level of the home. 12. Activated Charcoal I hope you never have to use this. It is used to help neutralize poisions. DO NOT USE WITHOUT DOCTOR OR POISION CONTROL'S ADVICE! If you need it, you need it immediately & every second counts. Keep a bottle on every level of the home. 13. Children's Electrolyte Solution (Pedialyte) For the prevention of dehydration from diarrhea. Check the expiration date on the bottle to make sure it is good for a long time (and mark your calendar when its time to replace it!). 14. Cabinet Locks, Safety Gates & Toilet Locks Start thinking about your childproofing needs now, during pregnancy… Cabinet locks and safety gates often need to be DRILLED into walls. Your child will be rolling faster than you think… and when they start rolling the trouble begins! When they can crawl, pull up and walk, the high-jinx just get worse! 15. Fire/Smoke Alarms Please test them to make sure they work! I don't want to read about your family in the newspaper! 16. Gun Cabinet Locks & Other Firearm Safety Switches No judgements…(after all, I grew up in a house with guns), but if you choose to have firearms in the home, please have them locked away where little hands cannot get them! Again, I don't want to read about your family in the newspaper!