Older kid toys and babies (choking hazards)

How do you keep your older child's little toys organized and away from your baby? I have such anxiety all the time that DD's going to get her hands on something when our heads are turned. I've explained to DS that he's got to keep his stuff away from her but he's 3 and doesnt really understand that she can choke.

I'm thinking of moving all of his smaller toys to his bedroom upstairs but he still tends to carry things from room to room.

Re: Older kid toys and babies (choking hazards)

ITs a PITA - I have a 4 1/2 year old and a 16 mth old and he has had a few near misses - I am constantly watching him and if he is quiet or smiling at me for no reason I know he has a barbie shoe or something in his mouth. I tell DD all the time and she is pretty good about keeping her stuff away from him but some things end up in the toy box.

I started using an empty plastic wipes box- in the kitchen for throwing any small things that I find during the day - that way at least I know where they are and DS cannot get his hands on them.

Re: Older kid toys and babies (choking hazards)

thats why i hate going to my friends house!!!! she has a 4 yr old and a yr old. My ds is a yr old. Sat night we went over my friends house and dh grabbed a small peice of a toy out of ds mouth. I nearly had a heart attack and watched them the whole time like a hawk.. my friend said she is scared all day long and doesnt let them out of her sight.. in fact they have a toy room but they are only allowed to play in the living area that is open to the kitchen

seperating the toys or putting the toys with smaller parts away is a good idea.

Message edited 11/30/2010 10:34:39 AM.

Re: Older kid toys and babies (choking hazards)

This situation is TORTURE for me. I have to be on my DD 24/7 whenever she is roaming free and not contained in something and,since these days she refuses to be contained in anything (she is 10 mos) I never have a second to get anything done.

The thing is it would really be impossible to put all of his toys away that I feel are not safe for her. His favorite things are basically all hazards - he has about a million cars, trucks and trains that all easily fall apart with small pieces and, I worry about the paint they use on them Then, all his little lego sets - his fireman house with allthe little men and equipment, his arts and crafts stuff, all the train table paraphenalia, the list goes on and on.

The worst part is my DD is OBSESSED with his little matchbox cars and even though I have bought her own safe cars she wants no part of them. So anywhere in the room HIS cars are - she is there in 10 seconds.

The ONLY thing that helps a little is that my DS watches her like a hawk around his stuff and if she touches anything he goes nuts in about 1/2 second so I know immediately I have to get my butt in there

Wish I could be of more help - let me know if you figure something out!