Child Safety
Along with the joys of parenthood comes a great deal of worries, not least how to keep our children safe. Whilst most of us worry about our child’s safety away from the home, we often forget about the very real dangers inside our own homes. It is impossible to eliminate every single danger imaginable, but it is possible to eliminate as many dangers as possible and to be prepared for all eventualities. Always remember that ‘prevention is better than the cure’ and one of the most important aspects of ensuring children are safe is to supervise them as much as possible. Here are a few common child safety tips to remember:
Child Safety Tips: The Kitchen is Dangerous
The kitchen is probably the most dangerous room of all. It is a minefield of potential hazards and young children should never be allowed to play or have access to this room without supervision. Fridges, freezers, washing machines and tumble driers, and dishwashers should have their doors closed tightly when not in use. If possible, fit a door lock. Keep oven doors shut at all times and ensure that children cannot touch the oven door when it is hot. When working in the kitchen, keep pan handles, kettles, microwaves, irons, and toasters pushed away from the work surface edge to avoid children pulling or knocking them on themselves. Remember also to ensure the flexes to these electrical appliances are not accessible to them.
Other cleaning materials and medicines that may be stored around the kitchen should be locked in a cupboard and out of reach. Alcohol, sharp knives, and plastic bags must be stored out of the reach of children or in a locked cupboard. Knives should never be stored on a work surface or left around after cooking. When placing knives in a dishwasher, always place them ‘point down’ to avoid a serious injury should a child trip and fall.
Child Safety Tips: Keep Your Home Clutter Free
Around the other living areas of your home, it is best to keep things as clutter free as possible to prevent accidental falls. Make sure you have smoke alarms fitted about the house and create a fire escape plan to practice with your children periodically so they understand the correct procedure to follow in the event of an emergency. Install gates to prevent your youngest children from crawling to areas of the house such as the staircase without your supervision. Check over your carpets and rugs to replace fraying or wear to prevent falls. You might want to fasten your rugs securely to ensure that they will not cause a slip. Also try not to place furniture under windows that may allow your children to climb onto them.
Child Safety Tips: Never leave your children unsupervised around water
As a general rule, never leave your children unsupervised in the bathroom or any other area around water. Make sure you have locked away dangerous medicines and cleaning products and install slip resistant mats. Make sure your drains are covered with a drain cover to save small fingers from being lodged in or cut, sometimes causing an infection.
Child Safety Tips: Outdoor Safety
As with the home, the garden can be fraught with danger. Young children love to explore and the garden can hold endless adventures and fascination. Keep your garden hazard safe by clearing it of poisonous plants, litter, debris, and water hazards. Dustbins can be a safety hazard for children if tipped over when empty so keep them tucked away out of site and away from fences so they don’t turn into a climbing frame. Use gates and fences to secure off your garden. They may be unsightly to some but remember a child’s youth is a very short period of time to sacrifice the view but a vital stage to prevent horrible accidents. Be especially cautious with garden water features which are best covered with a securely fitted grill or sectioned off by fencing. Teach your children how to stay safe around water until they are old enough to understand.
Finally, play equipment can be a source of hours of fun and entertainment for a child. To ensure they can make the most of this fun, it’s best to teach them how to play considerately and safely together to reduce accidents.
