Safety for Young Children

Today's message is going to be a little longer than usual but if you have small children I think you'll agree that Home Safety is a very important issue worth the space. As parents of young children you know they like to explore their environment. It helps if you can evaluate possible dangers from the child’s point of view.

It's normal for an active child to climb, crawl and explore but their innocent curiosity can get them into trouble. Your goal as a parent is to create the safest environment possible and avoid common injuries.

Listed are excerpts of recommendations by the Home Safety Council.

Prevent Burns and Scalds from Hot Fluids
• Set water heaters on 120 degrees or less.
• Test water temperature before your children get in the tub.
• Don't leave children unattended in the tub.
• Use safety caps on electrical outlets.
• Keep children away from the stove when cooking to prevent burns.
• Lock up all matches and lighters.
• Don't leave candles unattended and put out if you leave the room.
• A tiny spark can ignite Gas. Store in safety can and leave outside.

Smoke Alarms and Fire Drills
• Have smoke alarms on all levels, especially in or near all bedrooms.
• Test smoke alarms every month.
• Replace batteries in your smoke alarms at least once a year.
• Replace smoke alarms more than 10 years old.
• Practice fire drills to ensure everyone wakes up to the smoke alarm.
• Assign an adult to assist Children to escape a fire.

Prevent Choking and Other Dangers
• Keep all plastic wrap or packing materials away from young children.
• Keep pillows, toys and blankets out of crib.
• Don’t hang anything with strings or ribbon over cribs.
• If your window has a blind, keep cords tied up high.
• Cut any loops on window blind cords into two pieces.
• Children choke on small items, such as buttons, coins and toys.
- If it fits into a toilet paper roll, it's not safe for small children.
• Read labels on toys before you allowing children to play with them.
• Be sure toys are age appropriate. Label suggests a safe age.

Prevent Poisoning
• Call 1-800-222-1222 for emergency help if someone takes poison.
• Keep the number by every phone.
• Know things in your home that are poisons.
• Read product labels with words “Caution”, “Warning”, or “Danger”.
• Follow directions when using products dangerous to children.
• Remove medicine & medical supplies from purse, pocket & drawers.
• Put medicines in a cabinet with a child safety lock.
• Get child safety caps on chemicals, medication & cleaning products.
• Lock all dangerous items and products in the cabinet.
• Cosmetics (make-up) can be poison too.
• Have heaters, stove and fireplaces inspected for safety every year.
• Have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector near the bedrooms.
• Push the detector “test” button so everyone recognizes it's sound.

Prevent Drowning
• Drowning happens fast & most of the time you won't hear anything.
• Drowning can happen in a pool, pond or ditch.
• Always stay near young children when they are in the tub.
• Don’t let other children baby-sit children around water.
• Use toilet lid locks if small children live in or visit your home.
• Store large buckets where water can't collect inside them.

Prevent Falls
• Keep close watch on young children.
• Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
• Use a safety gate to prevent falls from balconies and decks.
• Have window guards on upper windows.
• Cover the ground under playground equipment with a thick layer (9-12 inches) of mulch, wood chips or other safety material.

Maybe you haven't considered some of these potential dangers. Implement all the safety rules above and you should drastically reduce the risk of your child being injured. This is an important goal that all parents should desire.

Visit our web site: www.housedoctors.com