“See the black marks?” – Mum’s upsetting public change table warning
US mum Jessica Wayman has taken to Facebook to warn parents about the hazards of public change tables, and her worries are about something we’d never really considered.
Always use a sanitiser
If you’ve ever used a public change table, you’ll want to listen up.
“Before putting your babies anywhere near these things, ALWAYS wipe them down first,” Jess warned. “Even if you are in a hurry, even if you have a blanket to lay down. See the black marks? Those are from burnt spoons.”
Gasp. We’d never thought much about it, but of course, that makes so much sense.
“Addicts use these as tables while they shoot up. There could be residue from heroin/meth whatever, and other harmful bodily fluids. If someone doesn’t care about themselves, I can promise you, they aren’t thinking about your kids. Be cautious.”
PSA: Before putting your babies anywhere near these things, ALWAYS wipe them down first. Even if you are in a hurry,…
Posted by Jessica Wayman on Sunday, 23 September 2018
Not fake news
Jessica updated her post as it went wildly viral, explaining she had her own experience of addiction, and wanted to be sure unsuspecting parents were informed of the health risks associated with change tables. She also rejected claims that she was scaremongering because she’s speaking from lived experience.
“I never expected this to get so much attention,” Jessica wrote, “but since it is, to clarify some of the things I’m seeing being questioned, this is in reference to changing stations in single person bathrooms and in handicapped stalls, yes this is VERY REAL.”
“I am a recovering addict myself, which is why I made this post in the first place, to warn all the unsuspecting parents who would never think something like this when looking at a changing table. Along with people using them as tables while they shoot up, they are also OFTEN used by addicts to bust drugs out and crush them up upon. So again, be cautious.”
Read more about child safety:
- “I couldn’t believe it can climb”: Qld mum finds deadly snake in baby’s cot
- Grieving mum’s must-read car seat warning: “I want you to be really careful”
- Mum’s warning about VERY GROSS hidden mould in kids’ lunch boxes
“I should do my part to warn other parents”
Jessica said that part of her recovery is being of service to others, and that’s what sparked her decision to share her warning, and a little more about her own history.
“The only people would know about this are addicts/recovering addicts, and that I should do my part to warn other parents of the danger,” she wrote. “Recovery is all about service.”
Indeed, parents commenting on Jessica’s post admitted they – like us – had never considered this could be a potential hazard.
“I would have never known because I don’t know anything about drugs that way,” one mum posted.
“Thanks for sharing. I would have never known,” another woman commented.
“Honestly, I never even thought about this even being an issue. I’m so appreciative that you brought this to my attention and other parents,” someone else wrote.
