I think every single parent on the planet would agree with me when I say that keeping your child safe is the most important thing in the world, but it’s so surprising how many accidents have occurred over the years due to the more relaxed parenting methods and not enough safety products around the home. There’s no way of predicting just how much mischief your little one will get up to when they start becoming more mobile, all you have to do is take your eye off them for just a second and they could be off doing something they shouldn’t be.

Baby safety gates have dramatically reduced the amount of accidents around the home involving children as they prevent children from getting to potentially hazardous locations which could leave them with life threatening injuries.

Here at Lindam we understand that you child’s safety is paramount and this is why we have developed a range of Award winning baby safety gates to suit all parents out there. From pressure fit, wall fit, extending to portable all of our gates can be adjusted so they will fit your designated area perfectly so there’s sure to be a gate to fit your specific parenting needs!

Our gates have been designed with both parent and child in mind so they are guaranteed to lock into place keeping your child safe and out of danger whilst looking incredibly modern and stylish at the same time. All of our gates are easy to operate from an adult’s perspective and they can be unlocked with just one hand as we understand that it can be difficult for parents to manoeuvre whilst holding your child at the same time.

The kitchen for example, can be a fascinating place for a baby. Parents are pottering along getting dinner ready using sharp object such as knives and heavy objects such a pans and heavy cutting boards. Not forgetting the deep fat fryer that’s just about reached its scorching temperature.  What about those brightly coloured fridge magnets that your child will yearn to pull off and perhaps shove in their mouth? According to CAPT in 2002 almost 37,000 children aged under 15 were taken to hospital after an accident in the home resulting in a burn or scald and over 26,000 children under 5 years were taken to hospital after a suspected poisoning, the great majority being in the home!

Areas such as the kitchen can be very dangerous and by simply placing one easy fit baby safety gate across your kitchen door will eliminate the need to child proof the entire kitchen and will avoid dangers such as hot water burns and other life threatening injuries.

If you’d like to find out how to keep your child safe with a Baby gate please visit the Lindam website – http://www.lindam.com/range/safety/safety-gates.html

Lindam know that when the sun is shining families love nothing better than visit out to the beach, park or favourite playground and this often means a trip out in the car.

As parents we are aware of the dangers of strong, lengthy exposure to the rays and heat from the sun and for many of us, applying sunscreen to our children’s skin is a routine operation throughout the summer months. Yet what about when your child is sat in the car? How can we protect them from the glare of the sun when they are on a journey with us? Getting too hot leads to dehydration, headache, feeling of being unwell, tiredness… And if your little one feels any of these symptoms he/she is likely to let you know vocally. Driving with a screaming baby or small child is stressful and really is something any parent would want to avoid.

To offer you a solution our product design team have created the vinyl sunblock shade to protect your children from the discomfort and dangers of the sun when you travel by car.

The sunblock has a patented heat alert that indicates when temperature is getting too high and it’s time for you move your child, perhaps to the other side of the car.

They are fixed to the car window by suction cups that cannot be removed easily by little fingers reducing risk of potential choking. Once in place the screen shades your child from the rays of the sun, allowing for a more comfortable journey.

To find out more about our White Hot Safety Sun Block Shade please visit the Travel Safety Accessories section of our website.

We would always recommend that when choosing a gate for the top of a flight of stairs that you opt for a wall mounted model (which attaches to the wall with screws). Wall mounted stair gates have a clear, open walkway without the bottom bar that features on pressure fit gates. This means that when you walk through the open gate there is no potential trip hazard. A wall mounted gate also offers greater strength and stability when compared to a pressure fit gate because it is tightly attached to the wall. However, they do require drilling.

When open a wall mounted stair gate does not have a step over bar, therefore removing any potential trip hazard.

An added benefit of the Lindam Stair Gate collection is their ability to be flexible in terms of both width and height. Our wall mounted stair gates are extendable and fit openings from as narrow as 63.5cm to as wide as 106cm (see Extending Wooden Stair Gate for details). We recognise that stairways are not fixed in size and therefore offer this added flexibility in our gates.

If you prefer not to drill then we would advise that you position your pressure fit gate away from the top step of the stairs. You could perhaps position it further back along the hall way or on the landing.

All Lindam gates are tested to and beyond European safety standards and all conform to EN 1930:2011 – that’s why 4 out of 5 gates sold in the UK (both pressure fit and wall mounted) are Lindam gates.

Find out more about our Wooden Stair Gate when you view our video on YouTube:

A newborn baby will wake through the night for a feed and in those early weeks and months he/she may wake several times. There is no doubt about it; this is a tiring phase for parents and can be a bit of a shock to the system, especially with your first baby.

Whilst we can’t give you any tips to get your newborn to sleep through (he/she will do this when ready and not before) we can offer you some words of wisdom that may make this time a little easier.

Our first tip is to invest in a nightlight or a soft glow lamp. Turning the main light on in the middle of the night is a big intrusion on the senses of both the parent and the baby and can really hinder everyone’s ability to nod off once baby has been fed. The gentle glow of a nightlight will provide enough light in which to see, but will also be soft enough to not fully wake your little one.  Plug in nightlights are also incredibly handy if you need to take a trip to the bathroom in the night because they will provide enough light for you without waking the rest of the family.

A monitor is another good idea, especially if your baby stirs a lot without waking. Our Clarity Digital Video Monitors allow you to see your baby, without disturbing him/her.

A portable bottle warmer is also a good idea if you are bottle feeding. Keep it in your bedroom or nursery so you are not having to stand around in a cold, bright kitchen (again, a cold room overloads your senses and wakes you more). Then, feed in a warm and comfortable place – your bed is fine, as is a rocking chair in the nursery.

Whilst it is tempting to talk or sing to your newborn a night time feed should ideally be a quiet one. Stimulate your baby so he/she is awake enough to feed (try gently tickling his/her feet or hands) but don’t offer so much stimulation that he/she thinks it’s time to wake up and play. Keep your voice to a hushed whisper and as soon as feeding has finished it’s back-to-bed time for both you and your baby.

When you return baby to the nursery be mindful of the temperature. Your central heating may have clicked off for the night and in the time baby has been snuggling with you for a feed his/her cot may have cooled slightly. Therefore, make sure baby is snug and warm with an appropriate sleep suit, sot sheets or baby sleeping bag. The ideal temperature for baby’s room is a constant 18 degrees c.

Remember, not every night feed will go to plan. Babies can be unpredictable (which is half the fun, really) and you will find that some nights your baby sleeps and feeds well whilst other nights he/she wont.  Just make sure that after a particularly bad night you try and catch up on some sleep during the day when your baby naps and accept the help of others when it’s offered.

Start by pointing out how desperately you need a co-chef in order to prepare a chef d’oeuvre meal for the family or the grandparents or daddy… Little ones adore being treated as adults (little do they know) and they’ll never miss a chance to save their favourite person’s day! When she offers to help react enthusiastically and make her feel as if she’s already a chef. It always helps if she has her own set of apron and chef hat so, if you haven’t already done it, go shopping for children kitchen accessories! Make sure that you buy a children’s cooking set that includes all the necessary child-safe knives and utensils. It’s always about having fun and getting creative that’s why ensuring that she has no access to the kitchen drawers or cupboards is a priority: with our Dual Locking Multi-Purpose Latch you can be a 100% sure that your little one won’t get her hands around sharp knives or heavy pans whereas at the same time you can still have access to them!

Cooking is always about sharing and collaborating: ask her opinion on what to cook, show her images and inform her on different recipes’ difficulty. Have at least one proposition that is most likely to appeal to a child, like a dish that is decorated with funny faces or shapes. And then it’s time to appoint tasks! Be generous, promote her to chef and yourself to sous-chef, and let her have all the “funny” / non-hazardous tasks: mixing flour with eggs, cutting fresh basil leaves with her hands, decorating a dish, filling the muffin cups… Keep all the cutting and baking to yourself (you are the sous-chef after all!); children shouldn’t get near knives or heated ovens and getting in the kitchen with them is one of the best opportunities to teach them that. Lindam’s Dual Locking Appliance Latch will keep her away from the oven or any other electrical appliance allowing you to concentrate on the creative procedure! Compliment her and make her feel proud every time she presents her accomplishments to you! Remember it’s not about getting everything right; it’s about trying!

When all the dishes are ready ask her to draw a special menu for the occasion so that when you sit all together you can pretend you are in a restaurant! You can right down the day’s specials and their price and ask her to draw the dishes or even glue a bit of spice or fresh leaves if she wants to! Place the menu centrally on the table and go through the final preparations together. You can even show her how to fold napkins to create different shapes! Unfortunately, you have to do all the dishwashing yourself… While you are cleaning the kitchen, though, don’t forget to leave her in a safe place such as in a play pen or in a room with a safety gate.

For more information on how to childproof your kitchen, please visit our website or contact us directly! (And don’t forget to write and tell us everything about your experience in the kitchen with your little one!)

When grandparents lived at home with the younger generations they offered an indispensable source of help.  In today’s modern families, mums often find themselves at home, on their own, relying on safe and indispensable items like play pens to get on with what they need to do.

Play pens are a godsend for mums because mums multi-task all day and need two hands to see to meals, cleaning, etc…

Being able to leave baby playing safely in a play pen for a little while, while she sees to her tasks offers an amazing source of support. Play pens teach baby to become a little independent from mum. The child learns to feel secure within a comfortable space, busy with his toys while mum is not far away. The child is not isolated because while mum is busy making his bottle or running him a bath, mum and baby can still hear and see each other. With this in mind , play pens offer peace of mind to mums who need to answer the phone or answer the door while a crawling or a walking baby is safely playing or sleeping in his play pen away from harm.

If mum has more than one child to care for, playpens offer enough space for both young children to play together in this safe, comfortable environment, helping the children to build a strong bond for each other. There is nothing better than constructive play in a safe environment to become best friends.

When mums meet for a coffee and a chat, their babies can share a play pen. From an early age, babies learn to socialise with other children. They make friends in a safe and controlled environment. Play pens offer a controlled space where babies are safe, occupied, where toys are kept together and give mums a moment of respite.

On a practical note, play pens minimise the amount of tiding up in a very busy home and they keep the young child apart from pets and traffic in a busy home.

They are easy to assemble. They become a cosy space and a source of comfort and support for children and parents. Find out more when you view our collection here.

Safety is the first consideration of any day nursery and is linked to the success of the business. An accident in a nursery may lead to the closure of the nursery due to the total loss of confidence in the management or the staff (or both).

Safety gates in nurseries are used to protect the health and wellbeing of young children. Our nursery welcomes children from 0 to four years old including children with special needs and autism.

We have various safety and stair gates in place to prevent children from getting hurt by stopping access to unsuitable places for them like kitchens, storage rooms, stairs, high places, different floors, outdoor places. This means we can keep our children safe and happy in appropriate areas organised for play and learning.

Nurseries put safety gates in place in the settings after carrying out risk assessments on the premises. They have the responsibility and duty to keep every child in their care, safe and away from risk of harm. Gates are put in place to maximise safety and minimise risk of harm. We position our gates in an environment where hazards are numerous and risks are high. Risks include heights, heat, heavy resources, sharp tools, steps, stairs and access to other rooms or outside.

Every parent wants to know that their children are in safe hands. Adult ratios in nurseries are organised appropriately according to the child’s age to ensure child’s safety, safety gates maximise the support to the practitioners in charge of safeguarding the health and safety of the children in their care. Children can still see the caring adult through a safety gate. Both can still communicate while safety is respected.

Overall, without safety gates placed in appropriate places in the nursery, the environment would be unsuitable for young children. They are an integral part of the resources needed to safeguard children’s health and well-being at all times.

1. Make sure he is comfortable

It is essential that your baby is seated safely and comfortably for the whole duration of the trip. A child car seat suitable for his age is mandatory if he is younger than 12 years old or if he hasn’t reached a 135cm height. After making all the necessary safety arrangements ensure that he isn’t too hot or too cold or that the sun doesn’t disturb him. You can protect your child from the annoying and hazardous UV rays by using our White Hot Safety SunBlock Shade which also features a patented White Hot heat alert system to indicate when the temperature in the car is getting too hot. Don’t forget to bring along a few healthy snacks and drinks for the journey; a hungry or thirsty baby will never stop crying, no matter how hard you try!

2. Travel during “smart” hours

Every child has his own eating and sleeping routine. If possible, depart on your journey half an hour before his bedtime; that will give him time to overcome the thrill of the new adventure, relax and fall asleep as usual! Avoid driving too fast or braking and speeding abruptly as it is likely to wake him up or prevent him from sleeping (leading to tension and whimpering).

3. Talk to him

A child always needs to feel safe and protected around his parents. A baby will probably get more easily upset during a long journey by not being able to see your face. Your voice is the best soothing factor, so talk to him smoothly, do those funny voices that get him to laugh and sing his favourite songs! If he’s a toddler talking is probably becoming one of his favourite habits; tell him a story he’s never heard before or improvise one on the spot (you can work on it together)! Stimulate his attention by starting a conversation that will generate questions or stimulate his imagination by asking him to tell you what each cloud’s shape reminds him of.

4. Play it again, Sam!

Anyone would get bored -and eventually cranky- if he had to travel for hours without any music. Take his favourite music with you and play it when the right time comes. One of the best ways to catch his attention is to play a few new songs and see if he enjoys them. You can sing along as well and discover the joy of turning a journey into a family concert! Be careful though; you don’t want to play the music too loud or you might end up yelling to be heard thus scaring him.

5. Bring his favourite toys

Take some of his favourite toys in the cabin with you, instead of leaving them in the trunk. If he’s a baby the best solution is to attach a baby activity centre to his car seat, since he’s likely to throw down his toys several times during the journey and get upset. If he’s old enough to reach for his toys on his own, you can make good use of your seat’s back pocket! Place a few of his favourite toys there and if he gets fussy remind him that he can play with them. Lindam can help you protect your car seats and keep his toys, drinks and snacks in one place at the same time with our Backseat Organiser and Car Seat Protector. Remember though that no one likes to play alone; if you have another co-passenger ask him to play with him. If you are driving alone you can sing or talk to him while he’s playing.

For more information on our travel accessories, please visit our website.

When is the right time to buy a baby monitor?

Buying a baby monitor proves to be one of the first baby proofing actions you can take as a new parent. You can use from day one when you return home with your new baby or you can choose to purchase one after a while; for example, when you and your baby start sleeping in separate bedrooms or as soon as you feel confident to leave him alone in his cot for a while. You can use it for as long as you feel the need to, since you will also find it useful when your child begins to crawl or spend some time in his play pen.

Which safety monitor should I choose?

At Lindam we have 25 years experience on baby safety products and we offer you the opportunity to choose your safety monitor from our award winning collection. Both the Clarity Digital Video Monitor and the Clarity Digital Audio Monitor combine advanced technology with design innovation. A digital monitor guarantees that the audio and video signals are always transmitted interference-free, so that you can see and hear your baby with no interruptions.

The Clarity Digital Video Monitor, thanks to the latest digital technology (DECT) and infrared night vision, allows you to see and hear your baby, even at a distance of 150 metres from the nursery, during all day… and night! Featuring a 2.36 inch colour monitor, operable controls for sound and vision adjustments, a nightlight and five lullaby melodies to sooth your baby to sleep, this monitor will immediately become an indispensable accessory.

Lindam Digital Clarity Video Monitor

On the other hand, if you prefer to sing a lullaby to your baby should he wake up during the night, then the Clarity Digital Audio Monitor is exactly what you are looking for! This safety monitor operates two-way and up to 300 metres away from the nursery so that not only you but also your baby can be reassured by hearing a familiar voice!

Both monitors can be powered either by mains or batteries.

Where should I place each monitor?

Make sure that the baby monitor is placed in the nursery at a safe distance from your child’s reach as, according to the International Association for Child Safety (IAFCS), electrical cords may pose a serious risk of injury. Always keep the parent kit at a distance where you can hear or see your baby through it and remember to carry it with you when moving from one room to another!

Please visit our baby monitors page for more information.