Ballywho News

Kids: inquisitive, adventurous, and spontaneous, they often give parents a run for their money. Keeping kids safe takes persistence—and the ability to put oneself into the shoes of a curious child. These safety tips can help parents see their homes with the eyes of a child and make every room of the house safe for even the littlest family members.

1. Look inside all the under-counter cabinets in your home. You’ll be astonished to find all kinds of brightly colored bottles and substances. Kids love to test out these items, especially to see how they taste. Remove any item that contains chemicals—even “safe” items like baby aspirin—and place them in upper cabinets. Install child safety locks on lower cabinets, as well.
2. As you walk around your home, find any small items that could present a choking hazard. Hard candy, balloons, and coins are all seemingly innocuous items that present a serious choking hazard. Put them out of reach, or get them out of the house altogether. Inspect new toys for small parts that could easily break off and end up in a toddler’s mouth.
3. Check out the home and yard for tripping hazards. Be sure that steps and stairs are both well-lit and clutter free, and use child safety gates to prevent any unsupervised climbing. Put away hoses and other yard equipment, so that enthusiastic kids don’t run, trip, or fall over them. Get in the routine of putting away toys and any yard equipment.
4. Stick close to the stove whenever you’re cooking. Be sure to turn the handles on pots and pans inward, so that curious hands can’t reach up and grab them. Plug in items like coffee pots and slow cookers on the counter, and keep the cord pushed as far away from the edge as possible.
5. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, and check their batteries regularly. Put together an evacuation plan, and review it with children who are old enough. If anyone will exit through a window, be sure that the window opens wide enough for safe evacuation.
6. Adjust the temperature on the water heater so that it cannot exceed 120 degrees. This measure keeps babies’ and kids’ delicate skin protected from inadvertent burns from scalding water.
7. Look around the house and make a mental note of all places that children have access to water, including the bathtub and swimming pool. Keep a close eye on kids whenever they’re around water, and block off these areas when you’re not supervising. If you get a life vest for you r child, make sure it’s the correct size and can keep the child’s head above water.
8. Put in safety grab bars in the bathroom or tub. These can help kids maintain balance on slippery surfaces. Be sure that stepping stools offer sufficient traction for wet feet. Train older kids to dry the floor with a towel when needed, to prevent falls by unsuspecting bathroom visitors.
9. Teach kids age-appropriate lessons on safety. Start with simple ones, like what to do if approached by a stranger, and graduate to running with scissors or other lessons. Remember that as children get older, they’ll still need guidance on staying safe, even when they act like they’ve heard it all before.
10. Give yourself an “Emergency Cheat Sheet.” Hang it somewhere prominent, such as on the refrigerator or next to the telephone. Include a reminder to call 911 in an emergency, along with the number for the local Poison Control office. Add any emergency contacts, such as neighbors or family members who can help with care during a crisis.

If you have questions about child safety or other health issues, please contact us at Brandon Regional Hospital. Visit us online or call Consult-a-Nurse® at 1-877-442-2362 for answers to your questions and free physician referrals.