Providing a secure and safe environment for children is a crucial part of being a parent, and it’s a huge responsibility. No matter how much you try you can’t protect your kids from everything, but you can give them a controlled home environment that reduces serious risks.
Did you know that the leading cause of death among children from ages one to fourteen years in the United States is injury from home accidents? This is a scary statistic, but as long as you use common sense and follow a few simple rules, you can minimize the dangers. Read on to discover 5 things you need to look out for in your quest to create a safe home environment for your kids.
Be Mindful of Fire Safety
There are multiple appliances in your home which could cause a fire. The ideal preventive measure is to install smoke detectors in every room inside your home. You may also want to consider installing carbon monoxide detectors in your rooms as well. Test these detectors regularly and change their batteries as often as the manufacturer recommends. In addition to installing smoke detectors, make sure you have an easily accessible fire extinguisher.
Furthermore, ensure your HVAC systems are in tip-top shape. Your heating, cooling, air-conditioning, and electrical systems should be in the safe hands of experts. Their professional experience is beneficial to ensuring safety in your home.
Protect Your Child from Electricity Exposure
As you know, electricity is a controlled force necessary in every modern home. The lethal nature of exposed wires from a faulty cable, socket, or appliance needs no explanation. Did you know that your mobile phone charger is the most dangerous of the lot? Always charge your gadgets out of the range and sight of children. Even toddlers can easily disconnect the charging unit from the phone and place it in their mouth while still plugged in.
Make a conscious effort to fix safety switches in your home’s electrical system as their purpose is to cut off irregular electricity activity in your home. There are professionals you can easily rely on to do this for you. Make sure that all electrical cords and sockets are kept in good condition. You can purchase electrical socket covers, which will make it impossible for your child to breach. Even in rooms your child may frequent less often, make it your mission to cover the sockets.
Identify Fall-Prone Areas
Injuries from falls are the most common cases presented in emergency rooms across the United States. Have you ever decided to think like a child and take a walk around within your home? It is one of the most effective ways to pre-empt hazards that may seem attractive to your young ones. For example, the stairwell is a part of the house the children would like to play and slide around. If you are dealing with an older child, cautioning and making them understand the dangers may work, but for children of below 5 years of age it is necessary to install safety guards for a child below five years, to reduce or eliminate the risk of falling.
Another area to concentrate on is the balcony if you have one. Your unsupervised child should never be left alone in this part of your home. It is also why you should install a safety guard towards the balcony’s exit. Unfortunately, not many people realize that a child can unlock a safety latch on a window, making this a high-risk hazard, especially for upper-story dwellers. Window guards will be your best option. Be conscientious about leaving bathroom lights on during the night for your four to ten-year-olds. You will want to avoid them tripping on a wet floor or over a toy in the dark.
Assess and Identify Poisoning Risks
Children under the age of five years are at risk of ingesting poisonous substances. It is an age bracket of exploration and mischief. Household cleaning agents, medications, and other contaminants should never be kept within reach of children. Always strive to keep them in high and locked cupboards. In case you do not have high cabinets, install child-proof safety latches. These gadgets are highly-impossible to operate without adult skills or strength.
Ensure Water Safety
Recent statistics from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control and the National Safety Council indicates that drowning is the leading cause of accidental deaths among children aged one to four years. It is worth noting that most drownings occur in residential pools and unprotected water bodies - even in shallow water like baths. If you have a pool in your home, your responsibility further heightens. Install barricades or fences around the pool, and a locked gate. Supervise bath time as well.
Being prepared for home accidents and emergencies increases your chances of minimizing risks in your space. Some mitigating steps you adopt may require financial investment, but are essential in enhancing safety at home. Protecting your child in their formative years is your obligation and that of every other responsible adult in the house. Most importantly, the safety decisions you take at home go further to protect the children of others who may visit your home.
Comments