Safety first at the dining table

> Here are some things parents need to consider to prevent any untoward accidents when eating out with children in tow

Also watch out for tablecloths; a tug at the edge could cause dishes to tumble and drinks to spill.

Restless children could wreak havoc if they run around the restaurant. They might collide with a waiter carrying hot food or a pile of dishes. They could slip and fall on greasy floors.

Banish restlessness by keeping the kids occupied while waiting.

One pizza restaurant used to place a fun worksheet on each tray for children to find hidden items, connect the dots and colour a picture while waiting for their order to be served.

They don’t do this any more, but you can make your own fun. Bring along some small toys – quiet ones, please – games, or colouring sheets for your children.

If you forget to bring your arsenal of distraction, make use of what is available at the restaurant.

For instance, plastic sauce plates could be used for a stacking game. Serviettes can be used as a drawing pad.

Toothpicks can also be transformed into a magic trick. Take five toothpicks and snap them at the middle so that they each look like a V. Be careful not to break them completely.

Arrange the tips of the V together so that they look like a flower. Now place a drop of water in the middle where the tips meet.

Watch the toothpicks move and morph into a star. Guaranteed to fascinate little people.

Some folks would have us believe that baby high chairs are a possible health risk. Apparently, surveys showed that the chairs have a higher concentration of germs than toilet flushes!

These surveys were done by companies manufacturing antibacterial products and high chair covers, so they should be taken with a pinch of salt.

I don’t remember being fastidious about wiping down high chairs with anti-bacterial wipes when my children were growing up, and they are none the worse for it.

But the danger in high chairs is the possibility of children wiggling down or climbing up if they are not properly restrained.

If safety straps are not available, keep a close eye on them all the time. Never leave them unattended. Accidents can happen in a split second.

Lydia Teh is a mother of four and author of nine books, including the latest, Cow Sense for Young People. Send comments to lifestyle.lydia@thesundaily.com.