Making the inside of your home a safe place for children.
Parents and guardians use all the correct methods to make sure their child is safe in the car and outdoors but do they use the same methods for inside their home? Children are as vulnerable to harming themselves indoors as they are outdoors. Here are a few tips from ER24 to ensure that your child is safe indoors, as well:
- Kitchen
Keep household items such as cleaning products, cutlery and appliances out of reach. Install safety locks on all your cabinets and doors that are easily accessible. Never leave any hot pots or pans unattended on the stove. A child may try to reach for these, causing the hot contents to fall on them. Put latches on the oven, microwave and refrigerator doors and install covers on all stove dials so your child can’t turn on the burners.
Put a lid on your dustbin as a child may try to reach in and fall. If you have a dishwasher or washing machine, make sure it remains closed at all times.
- Bathroom
Prevent your child from lifting the lid and peering into the toilet bowl by installing a toilet lock. Keep sharp objects such as razors, scissors, nail clippers, tweezers and other sharp objects in a locked cabinet or well out of your child’s reach. Unplug all electrical appliances, such as a hair dryer, curling iron and others, and store them away in a high draw or cupboard. Store all medications and vitamins well out of the reach of children. Place a non-slip mat inside and outside the bath and shower. Never leave your child in a bath or shower unattended.
Around the house
- Cover all sharp furniture edges with padding or foam.
- Cover all plugs with safety covers.
- Hide electrical cords behind furniture or use cord-hiding devices.
- Use doorstops and door holders to stop them from slamming into your child.
- Cut looped window blinds to prevent your child from becoming entangled.
- If you have a fireplace, install a grill and never leave a child unattended.
- Keep electronic equipment like decoders, DVD players and stereos out of reach or locked up.
- Secure furniture that can topple over. Bookcases and chests of drawers for example.
- Garden
- Make sure that all pools are covered with the correct covers at all times.
- Store and lock away all hand, power and gardening tools.
- Lock away any fertilizers or pesticides to ensure your child does not gain access to them.
- Maintain play equipment. Ensure they do not show signs of wear or rust. Make sure safety netting isn’t frayed or torn and that bolts and screws are tightly fastened. Ensure you do not have any toxic plants in your house or garden.
General
All parents, guardians, caregivers and domestic workers should have a basic understanding of first aid in order to enable them to deal with any incident more effectively. A comprehensive first aid kit should always be kept at home should any emergency arise. A detailed list of emergency numbers should be available in every room and next to the phone. A fire extinguisher should be kept in the kitchen but it must remain out of reach of children.
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