Health concerns about chemical in plastic products

A federal health panel for the first time acknowledged concerns that BPA , a chemical found in thousands of plastic products like baby bottles, may cause cancer or other serious disorders.

Public health advocates said the report should spur the government to ban BPA, at least in baby products.  Formula-fed infants are most vulnerable to the chemical, because it is found in baby bottles as well as the linings of canned powdered and liquid formula. They get a double exposure.

The FDA has been under pressure from numerous studies to regulate this chemical but so far has not taken action.

You may want to consider using non-plastic bottles to lower the potential risk of exposure to BPA.

Top Tips for Baby Kitchen Safety

1. Cook food on back burners whenever possible, with the pan/pot handles facing backwards. Children can grab them otherwise. Consider using a Stove Guard Shield.
2. Keep knives and sharp instruments well away from the edges of counters when preparing food.
3. Do not store knives in a butcher-block holder on the counter. Place them in a locked or childproofed drawer/cabinet.
4. Keep trash and recycling in a secure location away from your young child.
5. Remove small magnets from your refrigerator. They can be a choking hazard.
6. Keep small appliances away from the edge of counters, and secure any plugged in cords within a child’s reach.
7. Keep your child out of the Kitchen when frying. Hot oils can splatter and burn.
8. Keep plastic bags, plastic wrap, cleaning supplies and foil in baby proofed locked drawers/cabinets.
9. Use place mats instead of tablecloths so your child cannot pull hot food or plates down on top of themselves.
10. Do not hold a hot beverage when carrying your child, and place them towards the back of the counter when putting it down.
11. Install an Oven Lock to prevent access by child. If the Microwave is within reach also child proof the door.
12. Child proof Stove Knobs to prevent child tampering.
13. Install a Refrigerator Latch.
14. Cushion sharp counter corners or other exposed edges with foam cushioning.