Safety Tips for Children

Do you know that more than 2 million children are injured or killed by hazzards in the home every year? Wow! That is staggering and so unnecessary. So I thought it would be good to give you a list of some things that can be done around the home to make your space more user friendly for little hands and feet.

• Install some smoke detectors. You can double your chances of survival with a good smoke detector. You need as much warning time as you can get. Make sure your batteries are good. It's a good idea to change them twice a year. A good time to do this is when you change your clocks for daylight savings.

• It's a good idea to also make carbon-monoxide detectors part of this system. You can get help from your local fire department if you need it.

• I put safety latches and hooks on all of my low cubboard doors and drawers when my children were little. It's a nuisance, but well worth it when you consider that you are preventing little hands from getting a hold of products that could be dangerous, like cleaning products, medicines, sharp objects and so forth. Throw away any medicines that have expired. The less in the home the better.

• Put safety gates at the top and bottom of any stairs or at the entrance to any rooms that have hazardous contents. Be sure to read all directions for installing such as given by the manufacturer. My son tumbled down 14 steps twice in one week before my husband finally got gates at the top AND the bottom installed. Fortunately he was not hurt, just shaken up a bit. I was lucky. Don't let that happen to you.

• Install door locks and doorknob covers to any areas where there are hazards - especially to the backyard pool or jacuzzi. Don't forget the front door.

• Watch out for those corners and edges on furniture. You know the ones I mean. The ones that are just the same height as a little person's face. There are corner and edge bumper guards you and put on your low furniture. Don't forget the fireplace. Some people lay down a rug or thick blanket or quilt to cover it.

• Install window guards and safety netting, especially on upper floors. Remember to put netting on balconies and decks to prevent serious falls. But don't forget that there is nothing as good as a watchful eye. Make sure you or any day care provider is watching over them at all times.

• Reduce the thermostat on your hot water heater to help prevent burns. It should not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Put outlet covers and plates on all eletrical outlets. Kids like to place objects into the holes. Be sure to cover all outlets you are not using. Electrical shock, or possible electrocution, are the result of negligence in this area of the home.

Use wisdom and let's all help reduce injuries to our children!