You can never completely \u2018child-proof\u2019 your home. You can, however, dramatically reduce the risk of injuries and accidents by making a few changes to your home and keep your child under constant supervision. Your baby\u2019s safety is an important aspect of the early years’ agenda and affects the whole of the workforce. It is now recognized that unintentional injury is one of the main causes of childhood death and is the most common cause of emergency hospital admissions.<\/p>\n
Your preschooler is becoming more aware of hazards like cars and stoves, and they might be more likely to understand and follow safety rules, but at this age, he or she is also curious and wants to explore. Playing with things and trying things out is how they learn. And if they on a mission to find out how something works, your child might not remember the safety rules.
\nThis means it\u2019s up to you to reduce the risks around your child.<\/p>\n
Preventing unintentional injuries in the home<\/strong><\/p>\n In order to keep your child safe, you need to find out what the risks are, and then preventing or removing them either at home, surrounding neighbourhoods, nurseries and childcare facilities. Children at this stage will more likely experience injuries in the home(e.g. Falls, burns, scalds, and food poisoning) than in other locations.<\/p>\n Preventing Falls<\/strong><\/p>\n Falls are the most common cause of injury for children of all ages. The seriousness of the injury depends on the height the child falls from, the surface the child falls into and what the child may hit as they fall. To minimise fall injuries, look at the environment from your child\u2019s level. Preventing Burns and Scalds<\/strong><\/p>\n The kitchen can be a dangerous place for your child, especially when you’re cooking. Hot liquids, grease and hot foods can spill on him or her and can cause serious burns. Preventing Poisoning<\/strong><\/p>\n Young children tend to put every object they can find into their mouths. Children are often poisoned by common household chemicals and medicines. Preventing Suffocation and Strangulation Choking and harm caused by swallowing objects<\/strong><\/p>\n Child safety to prevent swallowing and choking on objects include: Around Cars<\/strong><\/p>\n Active adult supervision is paramount to the navigate driveways, cars, roads, and car parks safely. Always holding your child\u2019s hand when he or she is near cars is a great first step. You can also teach your child about road safety, including how to be safe around parked cars and on footpaths and driveways. Car Safety<\/strong><\/p>\n Car crashes are the greatest danger to your child\u2019s life and health. The crushing forces to your child\u2019s brain and body in a collision or sudden stops, even at low speeds; can cause serious injuries or death. More home safety tips<\/strong><\/p>\n Get a licensed electrician to do repairs NB: Keep first aid kits in home and car. Take kits on holidays too.<\/p>\n References
\nUse gates on stairways and balconies and lock windows, particularly upper-storey windows or install operable window guards so your child can\u2019t fall out
\nUse low power night lights and an efficient torch to make looking after your child at night safer.
\nUse sensor lights for stairs and steps
\nPut non-skid rubber mats in the bath and shower
\nDon\u2019t allow your child to walk or run while carrying sharp objects such as scissors
\nMake sure swings, slides and climbing equipment have soft fall materials underneath, to a depth to 300mm. Bed bunks should only be used for children over nine years
\nAlways use full-body(five-point) safety harness in strollers, high chairs, and shopping trolleys<\/p>\n
\nFind something safe for your child to do when you’re cooking.
\nLock matches, cigarette lighters, and flammable liquids away and out of the reach of children
\nInstall a safety switch to prevent electrocution
\nKeep hot drinks away from children and keep them away from stove pots, fireplaces, heaters, barbecues, etc
\nYour home MUST have a working smoke alarm installed. Test your smoke alarms every month and change the batteries of the smoke alarms every year.
\nHave the hot water delivered to your bathroom at a maximum of 50c. But remember that you still need to mix cold water with hot water coming out of your taps to get the right bath temperature for babies and children.<\/p>\n
\nSafety suggestions include:
\nKeep ALL medicines and household products out of the reach and sight of your children, put them safely after purchase or after use.
\nClean out your medicine cupboard regularly. Take unwanted and out- of- dates medicines and properly dispose them
\nAvoid distractions while administering drugs, double check before administering
\nTeach your child never to pick up or touch any insects they find such as cockroaches, wasps or spiders.
\nRead warning labels and directions for use very carefully
\nChild resistant locks can be installed on most cupboards especially where dangerous products like drain cleaners, bleaches, dishwasher powders, and so on are stored.<\/p>\n
\nMany homes have everyday items that could strangle or suffocate a child. These items are soft toys, beddings, blinds, cords, ropes, bags, boxes and packaging materials.
\nSome essential key tips are;
\nPutting children cots, beds, high chairs or playpens AWAY from the window, where children can\u2019t reach the blinds or cords. The cords can get around children\u2019s necks and strangle them while they are playing or sleeping
\nAlways supervise children in any room with reachable curtains or cords. Accidental strangulation can happen very quickly, so never leave your children alone in these rooms, even for a short while
\nTie knots in plastic bags and keep them from the reach of children<\/p>\n
\nBeing aware of the foods that can choke children such as lollies, apple, meat and nuts
\nEncouraging children to sit calmly and not eat their meals quickly
\nChecking toys regularly for any small parts that can become a choking hazard.<\/p>\n
\nA top tip for helping children learn about pedestrian safety and road safety is to describe what you’re doing, so your child can understand why it\u2019s important. For example, \u2018We always look both ways before we cross the road\u2019.
\nDo not allow your child to play or ride a tricycle in the street. Your child should play in a fenced yard or playground.<\/p>\n
\nTo prevent injuries, correctly USE a car safety seat EVERYTIME your child is in your car. The safest place for all children to ride is in the backseat. If a child must in the front seat, move the vehicle seat back as far as it can go, away from the airbag.<\/p>\n
\nReplace electrical appliances and cords immediately their worn out
\nLock away hand tools like saws and drills, and keep lawn mowers, chainsaws, and other sharp tools out of reach
\nUnplug tools whenever you take a break<\/p>\n
\n1. WebMD. Baby safety<\/a>. Childproof<\/a>. Accessed on 30th September 2018.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"