If you have a young child, you know the amount of stress involved with keeping them safe. Ensuring they do not get their hands on toxic materials and hazardous items can be a full time job. To relieve some of the parental stress, here are a couple of home safety tips for parents.
Lock Lower Cabinets: In a majority of homes, the cleaning products are stored in lower cabinets with easy access. However that easy access for you is also easy access for your child. If you have children, place garbage ties around the door knobs or install child proof latches preventing easy access. If neither of these options work for you, move cleaning supplies and other toxic or dangerous products to higher cabinets or shelves that the child could not reach even if they stand on a chair/stool.
Move Plastic Bags: One of the most dangerous items for a child to obtain is a plastic bag. Suffocation is a common cause of death in children. Keep grocery bags, garbage bags, shipping material, etc out of the hands of a child by discarding them or storing them in a hard-to-reach location.
Cover Electrical Outlets: Always keep unused electrical outlets covered with child proof plastic plugs. Also, store unused appliances like curling irons or electric shavers away from the reach of your child.
Block Off Stairs: Even after your child has been up and about for a bit, they are still at risk of falling. Ensure that your child cannot fall down a set of stairs while playing near them. Set up some type of blocking device or look into a child fence.
Monitor Your Child Near Water: This may seem like the most obvious tip, however, drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children. Always watch your kids around pools, bathtubs, sinks and toilets. Never leave your child alone near water for even a second.
Always ensure that your home is a safe place for you and your family. Your child will not hit an age of reasoning for a few years. Until they do, remain vigilant and ensure that you are setting home safety rules to keep your kids safe and prevent injury.
Dan Miller
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