Home Safety Tips

Welcoming children in your home means taking steps in making your place kid-friendly. Keeping your home safe for your kids include making necessary changes to prevent bumps, cuts, burns, bruises, and other domestic accidents that can be avoided with a few precautions. While most of these tips may sound simple, they make a huge impact in lowering risks of accidents at home

Keep all toxic materials out of reach

It may seem like a no-brainer but according to the National Safety Council (NSC), unintended poisoning is one of the leading causes of injuries and death in homes. Make sure all toxic substances are properly labelled and kept away from children’s reach. It’s also a good idea to keep them as far away from anything edible or other medicines to avoid making mistakes when it is dark or in haste.

Keep flammable/hot or sharp items out of reach

Little fingers are always curious and will want to touch anything. This can include the boiling pot of soup in the kitchen, curling irons, lighters, or even candles. Make sure pots are always turned inward on the stove to prevent tipping them over. It is also wise to keep any sharp cutlery, knives or blades away and out of reach.

Fall Prevention/Cushions

Falls is one of the leading cause of injuries for children in the United States. In 2013, there was a reported 2,578,235 injuries from falls that required medical care. Clearly, falls are unavoidable and is a part of growing up. What you can do is lessen the risks of falling by avoiding using furniture they can use or climb, installing window guards, keeping babies strapped in carriers, high chairs, or strollers. It is also a good idea to allow them to play in areas with shock-absorbing surfaces. Rubber mats indoors can cushion falls while outdoor playgrounds can be made fall-friendly and safer with rubber mulch. This way children can explore their play area, jump around and have fun with minimal risk of injury

Always Put Away Small Items

Small, seemingly innocent household items are a choking hazard for toddlers. What’s tricky about this is that since the items are small, it may not be easily noticeable when a child is covering the item with his or her hand. Avoid this risk by putting away items that can easily be picked up or swallowed. Make sure the toys you provide your children are suited for their age.

Cover Sharp Corners

If you have ever stubbed your toe on a low table or bumped your knee on a table corner, you’ll understand how much more children are susceptible to injuries like these. Cover all corners of tables and other sharp furniture with corner guards.

Of course adult supervision is always the best way to ensure the little ones do not get harmed as they try to learn what is dangerous and what is not. Always talk to your children and immediately let them know when they are attempting to do something that may be hazardous to their health or can risk injury.

http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/safety-at-home.aspx?var=-1%27

http://www.safekids.org/falls

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/safety/age-tips/toddler-safety.aspx