Ensure child safety around the house

While accidents and injuries can happen at any age, children – especially babies, toddlers, and preschoolers – are naturally curious and active hence are more prone to injuries and accidents.

Every year, more than 2,200 children die from injuries that happen at home. Suffocation, drowning, fires and burns, and falls account for many of these deaths. All these can be avoided by taking appropriate measures. While adult supervision is one of the best ways to ensure the safety of children, it’s close to impossible to watch your child 24/7, especially when you have an active toddler zooming around the house.

Child-proofing your home can go a long way in preventing accidents from happening.

Here are some suggestions to help you ensure that your home is a safe environment for your child to be in.

Safety for children around doors

Door stoppers and other door holds can be quite helpful in keeping a door from slamming onto your child’s face. If the door accidentally shuts on their little fingers, it may help to keep them safe.

Be careful of glass counters and sharp corners

Broken glass can cause serious cuts, loss of blood, and infected wounds. Sharp metal objects, machinery, and rusty cans can cause wounds that can become badly infected. Cover all sharp edges of the furniture or other big objects that you may have lying around the house, with foam or some other form of padding. This is especially important if your child is crawling or learning to walk and is still learning where it is safe or unsafe to play. In addition, furniture that can be easily toppled over should be secured in place.

Plugs and electrical cords

When plugs are not in use, they should be covered with safety covers. It is also important to keep electrical wires hidden or covered with cord concealment devices.

Blinds and children

Looped window blinds pose a risk to your child’s safety because it is quite easy for them to become caught in them. Entangled children are at risk of suffocation and strangulation.

Fire safety

There are several places where a fire can start. When a fireplace (braai, or firepit) is in use, you should never leave your child alone around it. Make sure there are no harmful or flammable items or materials nearby, such as lighters, candles, or matches.

Keep floors clear of small items

Babies, especially those who have started to crawl, often explore their environment is by putting things in their mouths that might cause them to choke. Ensure floors are clean of anything that could pose a choking hazard (dog pellets included).

Ensure household cleaners are out of reach

Poisoning is a serious danger to small children. Medicines, bleach, insect and rat poison, paraffin (kerosene), and household detergents can kill or permanently injure a child. Keep these out of reach.

Pools, bathtubs, and buckets

Drowning may cause brain injury or death. To prevent children from drowning, parents and other caregivers should always closely supervise children who are near or in the water. Pools should always be secure, bathtubs emptied after use, and buckets drained and stashed away.