Did you know that about 4.5 million children are injured at home annually? Every parent's top priority is to keep their children safe from harm.
Your home contains multiple objects that can cause injuries in children, such as toys, furniture, batteries, medicine, laundry products, hot and sharp objects, and anything that can lead to falls or suffocation.
Unfortunately, injuries can sometimes occur even under supervision of the most watchful parents. However, it is important to remember that accidents in your home are preventable.
Here are Some Quick and Easy Steps to Childproof Your Home:
- Install child gates at the top and bottom of stairways.
- Ensure all heavy and tall furniture is anchored securely as directed by the manufacturer to prevent tip over.
- Do not place furnishings children can climb on close to windows, handrails, and other openings.
- Replace corded blinds with cordless units, or shorten the cords. Blinds with looped cords must be cut. Contact your maintenance team if you are concerned with blinds in your home.
- Place outlet covers on unused receptacles.
- Secure all windows with locks. Screens are used to keep bugs out, not to keep children in.
- Electrical cords be kept out of reach.
- Remove any damaged (exposed wiring) electrical cords.
- Install protectors or corner cushions on furnishings with sharp edges in your home.
- Install cabinet locks where needed.
- Never leave burning candles unattended or within child’s reach.
Safety should be practiced in every room of your home. However, two areas that are considered accident-prone are the bathroom and kitchen. These areas should remain off-limits to unsupervised children.
Safety Tips For Kitchen Areas
- Keep handles of pots and pans toward the back of the stove.
- Use safety locks to secure oven doors, cabinets, refrigerators, and areas where household chemicals are stored.
- Store all sharp objects safely out of reach.
- Keep hot foods and liquids away from the edges of counters and tables; they should be out of reach.
Safety Tips for Bathrooms
- Medicine and household products should be stored in locked cabinets.
- Use safety treads or a non-skid mat in the bathtub to prevent falls.
- Install locks on toilet lid.
- Never leave children unattended in bathtubs.
- Install doorknob locks to prevent children from going in unsupervised.
Preventing Falls In Your Home
One important aspect of home safety is preventing falls, which are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in children.
Forty-three percent of all fall-related injuries happen to children 4 years old and under. Some of the most serious falls occur at home, so caregivers must maintain a safe home and ensure house objects are secured.
Fall Prevention Tips
- Always secure children in strollers, high chairs, etc.
- Keep windows locked when unattended.
- Beware of toys and other objects that can be used as steps to climb over rails.
- Never leave children unsupervised on balconies or decks.
- Always maintain proper supervision.
- Keep cords, toys, and other tripping hazards out of walking areas.
- Clean up spills on floors as soon as they occur.
- Always use handrails when traversing stairs
It is never too early to begin teaching children about their safety. Try to make it fun and help them identify dangers around the house by explaining that hazardous objects should always be avoided.
Starting these lessons early can help keep children safe throughout their lives.