Everyone knows that accidents happen. If you have children, you’ll be no stranger to dealing with small accidents -grazed knees from falling after running too fast or minor bumps and bruises. These kinds of accidents are common and, luckily, rarely cause any lasting damage. However, more severe accidents can and do happen in the home.
Child safety is essential, not only to be aware yourself of the risks and hazards but also to educate your children and make them aware.
Fires
Fires can happen easily and spread quickly. Curiosity can lead children to pick up lighters or matches, play with candles or even innocently leave toys too close to heaters. It’s essential to keep items that pose a risk of fire out of reach of children.
Keep an eye on them, especially when fires are lit, or heaters are on. Educate them about the hazards of fires. Teach them to alert an adult the moment they see smoke or flames.
Trips/Falls
Trips and falls aren’t always more serious than a bruised knee, but they can be. Make sure you have stair gates and a handrail installed on your stairs. Teach toddlers the importance of walking carefully and slowly up and downstairs.
Don’t allow clutter to build upon stairs as it creates a tripping hazard. Use safety mats around play equipment in the garden and encourage children not to climb onto roofs, sheds, fences, etc.
Burns/Scalds
The kitchen is where most home accidents occur – it’s essential to stay as safe as possible.
Ideally, try and avoid children being in the kitchen whilst cooking. If this isn’t possible, keep children away from the oven and always keep saucepan handles towards the back of the cooker. Don’t leave hot drinks near the edge of the work surface or table.
Elsewhere, hair styling tools should be switched off when not in use and put out of reach of children. Always test the water temperature when running a bath for your child.
Poisoning
With 500 children a week being rushed to a hospital for suspected poisoning, you must keep hazardous items hidden from them.
A cabinet or cupboard, preferably locked, is the best place to keep them when it comes to medicines. Take them without your child seeing you to avoid them attempting to copy you.
Household products should be kept in high cupboards, ideally with a child-resistant catch. If you’re using potentially harmful products, keep them out of reach of children.
Electricity
Keep unused outlets covered – ideally block outlets with furniture to avoid children having contact with them.
When it comes to extension leads, keep them behind furniture and put electrical tape over unused plug holes. Always switch off appliances when they’re not being used and when they are, keep cords out of the reach of children.
For more information about Child Safety Week, visit Child Accident Prevention Trust.
