Tips For Child Safety At Home
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Did you know that the majority of accidents happen at home? Or that the main victims of at home injuries are children? Child safety in the home is a major concern, or at least it ought to be, of parents today. We tend to feel safe in our own home and we forget the dangers that lurk in common, every day objects. In order to truly look out for child safety in your home, continue with the tips given below.
-Store all medicines, safe or not, out of reach and locked away. Child safety advocates say that even supposedly “safe” medicines like acetaminophen can be deadly given the right doses. And since children’s medicines often have cherry or mint flavors, kids are more likely to drink or eat large amounts.
-Keep vitamins and mineral out of the way, too. If you are very concerned about child safety, you need to make sure that vitamins are stored away out of reach as well as the medicines. A bottle of iron supplements can kill a small child with an overdose.
-Block off all water sources. We automatically think of pools and hot tubs when we think of child safety near water, but your toilet or sink can be just as dangerous! Children can drown in just a few inches of water and all they really need is enough space to get their head in, so either drain standing water in sinks and tubs or lock the door. There are even special latches for toilets that will keep the seat down so kids can’t get into the water.
-Turn your heater down. Hot water scalds account for nearly 30% of children’s burns, and the majority of these come from the seemingly harmless tap in your bathroom. By turning your hot water heater down, and always turning on the cold water before adding hot, you boost child safety in your home and ensure that your children won’t be burned by this particular source of hot water.
-Turn pot handles in. Another child safety tip to avoid burns is to make sure that no pot handles hang out over the edge of the stove where little hands can grab them and pull the hot contents down on top of the child. This is so easily avoided, just get in the habit of turning the handles inwards.
-Block the stairs. While most parents are aware that stairs can be a danger, many never take the child safety precautions necessary to prevent a serious fall. Putting up a baby gate might seem like an inconvenience, but it is far better than having your toddler in a body cast for months!
-Lock outside doors. Child safety advocates went nuts recently after a woman took a nap and her three year old son escaped from the house and ran out into an eight lane highway. This would not have happened if she had installed an extra deadbolt up high on the door where her son couldn’t reach. Being outside can be extremely dangerous without adult supervision, so make sure your kids stay indoors unless you decide to let them out.
Child safety concerns can be easily addressed in most cases and prevent a world of problems. By keeping an eye out for new tips and child safety ideas, you can ensure that your home is a safe place for your kids.
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