Child-proofing CPAP?

[sawinglogz]

Ah, the joy of being a relatively youthful CPAP patient: I have small children. Extremely curious small children. Children who are drawn to gadgets like moths to a flame.

I'm less worried about the machine itself than I am about what they might do to themselves or their lungs if they play with the CPAP.

Any good tips for child-proofing?

[John from Brookston]

Unplug the power cord and lock a tiny padlock through the hole in the end of the contact blade. Can't pug it in, can't turn it on. no worries. Put the mask and hose on a high shelf or buy a small gun safe ($50 version) to keep them in.

[-tim]

Maybe one of the paediatric medical types will show up with some more details.

A typical CPAP will only go up to about 20 cm h2o pressure which is the point where most people won't have issues. If your kids have healthy lungs, it won't be a problem but they won't like it. If you have a ramp from 4, I would be tempted to have them try it under supervision and then they will know and they won't be as curious.

What ages?

If they were my kids (based on 3 generations), I would be more worried about them taking the thing apart to see what is inside it.

[quietmorning]

Maybe one of the paediatric medical types will show up with some more details.

A typical CPAP will only go up to about 20 cm h2o pressure which is the point where most people won't have issues. If your kids have healthy lungs, it won't be a problem but they won't like it. If you have a ramp from 4, I would be tempted to have them try it under supervision and then they will know and they won't be as curious.

What ages?

If they were my kids (based on 3 generations), I would be more worried about them taking the thing apart to see what is inside it.

Lol, that's what I did and my kids did. . .take things apart. . .I took my dad's ham radio apart. . . heh. . . life was very interesting after that.

[Janknitz]

I think you have to approach it as CPAP-proofing the child. Explain what it is and what it does, show them on their hand or with Just the hose what the air feels like on their cheek. And then let them know it's a "don't touch". We had very few "don't touches" in my house, so my kids knew what was a don't touch and that it must be important. I never had a problem with my kids because I made it really clear what the expectations were. Even little toddlers can understand.

[Stormynights]

I would put a latch on the door. Something like this. http://www.amazon.com/National-Hardware ... door+latch
I have a horror story with a mask that no one wants to hear.

[Goofproof]

When something needed to be child proofed in my house as I was growing up. I was told not to touch things. If I didn't obey, a limb was taken from the tree in the front yard, and worn out on me, I had to select the limb, if it wasn't good enough for the job I was required to get another.

This is not child abuse, it's basic parenting. It sets boundaries, makes your kids smarter. I was whipped many times but not for the same offence. Teach your children there are consciences for their actions, that's sadly missing in most home, and is why the world is in thestate it is in. Thank God, I had good responsible parents. Jim

[SleepyToo2]

I have a horror story with a mask that no one wants to hear.

Spoilsport. Now you said that, of course we wanna hear. Well, I do!

[SleepyToo2]

When something needed to be child proofed in my house as I was growing up. I was told not to touch things. If I didn't obey, a limb was taken from the tree in the front yard, and worn out on me, I had to select the limb, if it wasn't good enough for the job I was required to get another.

This is not child abuse, it's basic parenting. It sets boundaries, makes your kids smarter. I was whipped many times but not for the same offence. Teach your children there are consciences for their actions, that's sadly missing in most home, and is why the world is in thestate it is in. Thank God, I had good responsible parents. Jim

I beg to differ on the child abuse. "Wearing out" a tree limb is more than is necessary to teach a lesson. To me that teaches a child that excessive violence is acceptable behavior. It is not something that should be joked about.

[Goofproof]

When something needed to be child proofed in my house as I was growing up. I was told not to touch things. If I didn't obey, a limb was taken from the tree in the front yard, and worn out on me, I had to select the limb, if it wasn't good enough for the job I was required to get another.

This is not child abuse, it's basic parenting. It sets boundaries, makes your kids smarter. I was whipped many times but not for the same offence. Teach your children there are consciences for their actions, that's sadly missing in most home, and is why the world is in thestate it is in. Thank God, I had good responsible parents. Jim

I beg to differ on the child abuse. "Wearing out" a tree limb is more than is necessary to teach a lesson. To me that teaches a child that excessive violence is acceptable behavior. It is not something that should be joked about.

Teaching your child right from wrong isn't child abuse, not teaching is. Jails are full of people that weren't taught to respect rules and other's possessions. Be prepared to lock up your drug supply, weapons, knives, the stove and oven, you either teach your kids to obey rules or we all pay for it later, we are already are daily. Keep building jails and wonder why things are going bad.

"Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child" Worked for my generation, what's passing for child rearing isn't working, it's proved in the news daily. Jim

[STL Mark]

But it is not politically correct to swat the kids on the butt for acting up these days. It is however considered appropriate to have them running around a restaurant while the parent eats dinner or have them screaming in public places because we don't want to limit the expression of their thoughts.

Shaken babies, and acts that cause internal damage or broken bones are serious criminal matters. Saying NO to a child and giving them chores, rules, limitations and self responsibility is called parenting.

[khauser]

Maybe one of the paediatric medical types will show up with some more details.

A typical CPAP will only go up to about 20 cm h2o pressure which is the point where most people won't have issues. If your kids have healthy lungs, it won't be a problem but they won't like it. If you have a ramp from 4, I would be tempted to have them try it under supervision and then they will know and they won't be as curious.

What ages?

If they were my kids (based on 3 generations), I would be more worried about them taking the thing apart to see what is inside it.

Lol, that's what I did and my kids did. . .take things apart. . .I took my dad's ham radio apart. . . heh. . . life was very interesting after that.

Sounds like me to a 'T' ... where do I find someone like that?

I *STILL* like to take things apart.

[quietmorning]

Maybe one of the paediatric medical types will show up with some more details.

A typical CPAP will only go up to about 20 cm h2o pressure which is the point where most people won't have issues. If your kids have healthy lungs, it won't be a problem but they won't like it. If you have a ramp from 4, I would be tempted to have them try it under supervision and then they will know and they won't be as curious.

What ages?

If they were my kids (based on 3 generations), I would be more worried about them taking the thing apart to see what is inside it.

Lol, that's what I did and my kids did. . .take things apart. . .I took my dad's ham radio apart. . . heh. . . life was very interesting after that.

Sounds like me to a 'T' ... where do I find someone like that?

I *STILL* like to take things apart.

**laugning** I do too. . .and I'm still getting into trouble for it.

I have no clue. When take those 'personality' tests. . .I'm only 2% of the national average . . .which can be a real pain in a work environment.

[Janknitz]

Now, now, children. There's something in between complete permissiveness and the tree limb. Positive discipline: it's OK to say NO and set limits. It works. My children survived and were always a joy to be with because they knew what was expected.

[Goofproof]

Maybe one of the paediatric medical types will show up with some more details.

A typical CPAP will only go up to about 20 cm h2o pressure which is the point where most people won't have issues. If your kids have healthy lungs, it won't be a problem but they won't like it. If you have a ramp from 4, I would be tempted to have them try it under supervision and then they will know and they won't be as curious.

What ages?

If they were my kids (based on 3 generations), I would be more worried about them taking the thing apart to see what is inside it.

Lol, that's what I did and my kids did. . .take things apart. . .I took my dad's ham radio apart. . . heh. . . life was very interesting after that.

Sounds like me to a 'T' ... where do I find someone like that?

I *STILL* like to take things apart.

I too was fascinated with things, but was taught boundaries, "Look but Don't Touch", I would go up and the alleys and bring home things and take them apart and was able to repair many of them. It's nice to learn how things work.

As long as I followed the rules everything was right. Number one rule, Respect others Stuff, that covered a wide range of sins of not followed. In stores don't pick something up unless you are going to buy it. Since at that time I had no money it covered a lot. If I wanted to do something all I had to do was ask and obide with their decision, do decussion, or heaven forbid, a Fit! I could use tools, but with respect, cleaned and put away, any mess cleaned up.

I was disciplined when needed, and I did keep pushing boundries, for the most part my parents were fair, they are responsible for how I turned out and I am thankful for the way they parented me, I'm sure it wasn't easy on them. I hope my (5) children think the same. Jim