Kotatsu Danger
May 31st, 2007 by quaisiIf you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Is there anything more dangerous to a baby than a kotatsu? Similar to a coffee table but used (at least in our house) for everything from eating dinner on to studying.
Perhaps it’s not the kotatsu itself but the items left on it. Steaming bowls of miso soup or tea, knives and food are all within easy grasp of a baby able to prop herself up when supported.
We’ve had near misses with the soup and last night she pulled over a cup of tea. Fortunately it had cooled down.
You might thing that a conventional table would be just as dangerous thanks to the height from which they could fall. Whilst this is true, my baby seems to be a thrill seeker hellbent on experiencing the most danger possible in her as yet short life and she could find a way to make anything deadly.
Posted in Baby, Japan, Life in Japan, Photo |
June 1st, 2007 at 7:05 am
Japanese houses seem to have more dangers for babies then American homes such as portable room heaters sitting on the floor. Also, the whole baby safety thing seems to be much more important in the U.S. with cabinet locks, toilet locks, door handle covers, etc. I have not seen much of that in my time spent in Japan. Even child car seats are not used as much even though I think they are required in Japan. My friend has a 2 or 3 year old but rarely uses a child seat.
June 1st, 2007 at 8:27 am
Unfortunately, not all danger can be eliminated in the home. Kotatsu can be dangerous even if they are bare. The child may slip and fall against it, or as I have witnessed with my nephews, be pushed against it. At the moment, my little one is not able to crawl or walk so we haven’t got to worry. The time will come, but hopefully we will avoid any trips to emergency.
June 1st, 2007 at 3:21 pm
I just have to say that that is a very hep and modern-looking kotatsu.
June 25th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Ah, how I miss using a kotatsu. Can’t wait to get my smelly feet into one again.
I think modern Americans are by their nature much more ‘workplace health and safety’ conscious than a lot of people, but I can see the danger of kotatsu. I’ve never thought about dangerous things for toddlers because I don’t have any children yet, but it’s interesting to see how the most mundane things can be dangerous for little kids.
December 26th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Do You Feel You Can Then