A Warning for parents of small children

[Brodie]

Could I just ask those of us with babies and small children to READ and RE-READ the instructions on the childrens toys that they got for Christmas.

My 1-year old son got a little car for Christmas that he can sit in and be pushed along in it via a long handle.

My partner put it together for him this morning (it was really complicated to do) and left him strapped into it, sitting in the living room while he went for a shave and I went into the kitchen to make breakfast.

We heard him screaming and when we ran back into the living room the whole thing had tipped over and he was face down on the carpet with the car on top of him. We were gone for less than 5 minutes.

Well, I checked the instructions and sure enough it said to 'NEVER leave the child in the car unattended' - I wish I'd read that! I feel so guilty now!

Apart from a fright, carpet burns to his face and a bump on the head he was fine but it just goes to show that those instruction manuals are there for a reason! I wish I'd read that stupid leaflet properly now. I just thought it would be more fun for him to eat his breakfast strapped into his car rather than in his usual high-chair.

I won't make that mistake again!