Your home is where it all begins. It’s where you can start a family and it’ll be where your children grow up. As nice as it sounds, many of us are unaware of how dangerous a home can be. Your home isn’t a safe place unless you make it that way. Lucky for you there are simple tips and tricks you can use to improve the safety of your home for you and your family. There are many tips out there, but here are some of the most important home safety tips you can start applying today.
Falls are one of the leading causes of injuries among babies and young children. True… kids do fall down a lot and it’s all part of growing up, but falling from high places could leave a child severely hurt. One home safety tip for falls is to check windows and doors. Your windows, screens and doors should be installed correctly to ensure that children won’t fall through if they bang on them or accidentally run into them. It’s also important to strap in your child when you place them in bouncers and high chairs. In addition to that, don’t forget to place safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs to prevent kids from climbing up or falling down them.
Lamps and other tall items should be placed behind furniture, so they won’t fall over if kids accidentally pull on the cords. If you prefer to hang your televisions then make sure you mount them on properly using brackets strong enough to hold their weight. Unstable televisions can fall unexpectedly and hit someone causing them bodily harm.
Slipping is another safety hazard that is dangerous for kids and adults. Preventing this is simple; all you have to do is keep your floors free of toys and clothes. Kids are messy and they will spill their drinks everywhere, so remember to clean up any spills no matter the size. It also helps to keep your walking area well lit at night. For mats and rugs, try adding a non-slip pad underneath it. This will help prevent kids from slipping on it when they run around the house.
Bruises and Cuts
Another home safety tip is to put large or multiple stickers on sliding glass doors to prevent anyone from running into them. You should also place soft pads on the corners of desks and tables to avoid serious injuries. Small kids can cut themselves if they get a hold of anything sharp, so be sure to keep scissors, knifes and other sharp objects in a cabinet or away from children’s reach. Have a first-aid kit ready and leave it in a spot where every adult can have access.
To help prevent a fire you should install a fire and carbon monoxide detector in every room of your home. Test the alarm every month and change the batteries at least once a year; it will be ready to sound off during an emergency. If you have a fireplace and decide to use it, then keep a fire extinguisher around for any unexpected flare outs and keep it regularly maintained and cleaned. Always keep lighters and matches away from small children and have an escape plan ready in case a fire does break out. A fire is a serious threat and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Electric and Water Safety
Once little ones learn to crawl, there’s nothing stopping them from exploring. It’s important that we keep them out of harmful places and away from harmful things. Wall outlets pose a threat to children, because they can experience a severe shock if they stick their fingers in an outlet. To fix this, just use a socket cover. All plugged in appliances should be in a safe spot away from young children as well.
It’s been proven that kids can drown in as little as five centimeters of water; therefore, it’s important to watch your kids when they’re around water, especially during bath time. Never leave a baby alone in the tub; they can’t scream for help if they slip or fall in. Also, empty all buckets of water after you’ve finished using them. If you have a garden pond, be sure to fence them off to prevent accidental falls.