Most parents don’t think twice when they go into a public bathroom to use a changing station — aside from being grateful that there even is one in the first place. Public bathrooms can certainly be germy, but most moms only do a spot-check or lay a blanket down before they do the deed.
Jessica Wayman a former drug addict is warning about the hidden dangers associated with public bathroom changing tables in the hopes parents will take precautions before setting their children down.
In her post, which has been shared more than 117,000 times, Indiana-based Wayman urged new parents to always wipe down the changing tables in public restrooms. “Even if you are in a hurry, even if you have a blanket to lay down,” she explained. “Before putting your babies anywhere near these things, ALWAYS wipe them down first.”
Here’s what Wayman said:
“PSA: Before putting your babies anywhere near these things, ALWAYS wipe them down first. 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. 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
SHARE so this can reach as many parents/guardians/babysitters as possible. It could mean the difference between life or death/serious life-threatening injury, for a lot of innocent children & unsuspecting parents.
EDIT: I never expected this to get so much attention, 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 & 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.”
Wayman’s personal knowledge of drug use because of her own recovery lends credibility to her warning. Though I don’t think that parents should live in fear, I do think they should be extra cautious before laying their children down on the changing table that has marked such as these in a public place. Sometimes it’s hard to think at the moment when you have a squirmy, upset child with a diaper that needs changing badly, so hopefully, those who hear this warning ahead of time will be able to remember it when they’re in such a situation.
The mom faced some serious backlash online, with some people accusing her of stating false facts to drum up fear in other parents. But Jessica pushed back against the claims, citing the fact that her history of drug use and knowledge about addiction makes her all-too keenly aware of the risks.
“This is in reference to changing stations in single-person bathrooms & in handicapped stalls, yes this is VERY REAL,” she wrote. “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,” she explained.
And as she explained she decided to share her knowledge because the “only people [who] would know about this are addicts or recovering addicts, and I should do my part to warn other parents of the danger,” she said.
And Jessica’s final message to parents who are worried about changing their kids in public spaces is to “be cautious.”
Sources: SMAG31, Café Mom, Independent