Preventing Common Household
Accidents
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A
house is an exciting place for infants and small children, who love to explore
but aren't aware of the potential dangers. Protecting your child from household
dangers is your job - and it's a job that will always be evolving to keep up
with your child's growing mobility and curiosity. Even before your baby comes
home from the hospital, you will need to think carefully about his safety at
home. And as he grows older, your job becomes more difficult, as he touches,
tastes, and climbs his way through the world.
Life
can't be risk-free, but most household accidents can be prevented by using a
household safety checklist. This will help you identify and eliminate potential
hazards in your home.
To
prevent animal bites:
Pets
and children seem like a natural combination - until one oversteps the other's
boundaries. Take note of the following to promote household harmony:
Never
leave infants under one year old alone with a family pet.
Don't
keep undomesticated animals (ferrets, for example) as house pets.
When
choosing a family pet, look for one with a calm disposition. For example, some
dog breeds tolerate children better than others; research breeds to find one
that is appropriate for your family.
Children
under four years old should be supervised when playing with a dog or cat.
Teach
children never to tease an animal, pull its tail or ears, or bother it while it
is eating or sleeping. Children should always stay away from pets with their
young.
Children
should be taught never to take a toy or bone away from a dog.
Teach
children never to pet or try to play with an animal that they don't know.
To
prevent burns:
Burns,
especially hot water burns, are some of the most common childhood accidents.
Babies and children may be more susceptible to burns than adults are: they're
curious, they're small, and they have sensitive skin that needs extra
protection. Use these burn-prevention tips when your children are in different
parts of the house, the car, and the great outdoors:
Bathroom
Set
the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees F or lower. A child can
be scalded in 30 seconds if the temperature is only five degrees higher. If you
are unable to control the water temperature (for example, you live in an
apartment), install an antiscald device. This will slow water from tub spouts
to a trickle if it reaches a certain temperature.
Kitchen/Dining
room
When
cooking, always turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Don't hold a
baby or small child while cooking.
If
you have to walk with hot liquid in the kitchen (like a pot of soup or cup of
coffee), make sure you know where your child is, so you don't trip over him.
Don't
drink hot beverages or soup with a child sitting on your lap.
Avoid
using tablecloths or large place mats. A small child can pull on them and
overturn a hot drink or plate of food.
Block
access to the stove as much as possible.
Don't
warm baby bottles full of milk in the microwave oven. The liquid may heat
unevenly, resulting in pockets of milk that can scald your baby's mouth.
Fireplaces
and wood stoves must be screened. Radiators and electric baseboard heaters may
need to be screened, as well.
Outdoors/In
the car
Use
playground equipment with caution. If it is very hot outside, use the equipment
only in the morning, when it has had a chance to cool down during the night.
Children
can get burns from hot vinyl and metal, so remove your child's safety seat or
stroller from the hot sun when not in use. If you must leave it in the sun,
cover it with a blanket or towel.
Before
leaving your parked car on a hot day, hide the seatbelts' metal latch plates in
the seats to prevent the sun from hitting them directly.
To
prevent choking:
Putting
things in their mouths is one of the ways that babies and small children
explore the world. Anything that fits can be a danger. Choking is usually
caused by food, toys, and other small objects that can easily lodge in a
child's small airway. Pay special attention to the following to prevent your
child from choking:
Food
Don't
give a child under age four any hard, smooth foods that can partially or
completely block the windpipe. These include nuts of any type, sunflower seeds,
watermelon with seeds, cherries with pits, raw carrots, raw peas, raw celery,
popcorn, and hard candy.
Some
soft foods can also cause choking because they are the right shape for blocking
a child's windpipe. These foods, including hot dogs, sausages, grapes, and
caramels, can be served if they are chopped into small pieces. Spoonfuls of
peanut butter and chewing gum should also be regarded as potential choking
hazards.
When
babies begin eating solids, beware of foods like raw apples and pears, which
may be difficult to chew without teeth (or with just a few teeth).
Encourage
children to sit when eating and to chew thoroughly. Teach them to chew and
swallow their food before talking or laughing.
Never
let children run, play sports, or ride in the car with gum, candy, or lollipops
in their mouths.
Be
especially vigilant during adult parties, when nuts and other foods might be
easily accessible to small hands. Clean up early and carefully, and check the
floor for dropped foods that can cause choking.
Toys
Always
follow all manufacturers' age recommendations when buying toys. Some toys have
small parts that can cause choking, so heed all warnings on a toy's packaging.
Never
buy vending-machine toys for small children; these toys do not have to meet
safety regulations and often contain small parts.
Check
toys frequently for loose or broken parts - for example, a stuffed animal's
loose eye or a broken plastic hinge.
Warn
older children not to leave loose game parts or toys with small pieces in easy
reach of younger siblings.
Balloons
and other small objects
Never
give balloons to a child younger than age eight. A child who is blowing up or
chewing on a balloon can choke by inhaling it. Inflated balloons pose a risk
because they can pop without warning and be inhaled.
Safely
dispose of button-cell batteries.
Encourage
children not to put pencils, crayons, or erasers in their mouths when coloring
or drawing.
Don't
reward small children with coins.
To
prevent cuts:
It's
normal for children to get scrapes and cuts on the playground, but they must be
protected from sharp and dangerous items around and outside the house. Take
note of the following to prevent injuries from occurring in the kitchen,
bathroom, and garage:
Kitchen
and bathroom
Keep
knives, forks, scissors, and other sharp tools in a drawer with a safety latch.
Keep
glass objects, such as drinking glasses or bowls, in a high cabinet far from
reach.
Store
appliances with sharp blades (like blenders or food processors) far from reach
or in a locked cabinet.
Make
sure your child is a safe distance away when you load and unload the
dishwasher.
If
possible, keep the kitchen garbage can behind a cabinet door with a safety
latch.
If
you use a razor to shave, keep it in a locked cabinet in the bathroom. Be sure
extra blades are stored in a safe place, along with nail scissors and other
sharp tools.
Garage
Store
all tools, including those used for gardening, automotive, and lawn care, in a
locked container.
If
you recycle glass and metal in your home, keep the recycling containers far
from reach.
To
prevent drowning:
Infants
and small children can drown in only a few inches of water. Protect them from
danger by providing constant supervision whenever they are near water:
Bathtub/Bathroom
Never
leave a baby unattended in the bath. If you must answer the telephone or door,
don't rely on an older sibling to watch the baby; wrap your baby in a towel and
bring him with you.
Stand
guard over a bathtub that is filling with water.
Don't
use a bathtub seat with suction cups. The seat can overturn and flip a baby
headfirst into the water.
Install
a toilet-lid locking device.
Never
leave a small child unattended near a bucket filled with any amount of water or
other liquid.
Pool
area
Don't
leave children unattended by a pool, wading pool, or hot tub - even for a
moment.
Flotation
devices like water wings and inflatable rings can give a false sense of
security in the pool. Never use these as a substitute for constant adult
supervision.
Dump
out all water from a wading pool when you are finished using it.
If
you have a pool in your backyard, install fencing at least four feet high on
all sides of the pool. Install a self-closing gate with a lock that is out of a
child's reach.
Remove
any ladders from an above-ground pool.
To
prevent electric shock:
Many
household outlets and cords are right at a toddler's eye level. Protect your
child from electric shock by following these safety rules:
Cover
all unused outlets with safety caps.
Unplug
all kitchen appliances when not in use, and keep cords far from reach.
Unplug
all bathroom appliances (hair dryers, curling irons, electric razors) when not
in use.
Position
television and stereo equipment against walls, so small hands don't have access
to the back surfaces.
To
prevent injury from chewing on cords from lamps or other electrical equipment,
bind excess cord with a twist-tie. You can also purchase a holder or spool
specially designed to hide extra cord.
Make
sure all wires in the house are properly insulated.
Check
electronic toys frequently for signs of wear and tear; any object that sparks,
feels hot, or smells unusual must be repaired or discarded immediately.
Seasonal
lighting, such as Christmas tree lights, can pose an especially inviting
hazard. Make sure all wires are properly insulated, bind excess cord, and
unplug all lights when they are not in use.
To
prevent injury from falls:
Babies
and infants can be wiggly and roll around easily; toddlers and small children
can climb their way into trouble. Protect your children from falls by paying
special attention to windows, cribs and beds, different areas of the house, and
outdoor playgrounds:
Windows
Install
safety bars on upper-story windows. These bars must be childproof but easy for
adults to open in case of fire.
If
you don't have safety bars on your windows, close and lock windows when
children are present. For ventilation, open windows from the top, and provide
adult supervision.
Keep
furniture away from windows to prevent children from climbing onto sills.
Don't
rely on window screens to keep children from falling out of windows.
Cribs
and beds
Keep
side rails up on cribs.
Never
leave a baby unattended on a changing table or bed. When choosing a changing
table, opt for one with two-inch guardrails.
Always
secure safety belts on changing tables, strollers, carriages, and high chairs.
Be sure to strap a small child securely into the seat of a supermarket-shopping
cart.
Do
not put a child under age six on the top bunk of a bunk bed. Attach guardrails
to the side of the top bunk.
Around
the house
Attach
protective padding or other specially designed covers to corners of coffee
tables, furniture, and countertops with sharp edges.
Install
hardware-mounted safety gates at the top and bottom of every stairway
(pressure-mounted gates are not as secure). Avoid accordion gates, which can
trap a child's head.
Clean
up any spills around the home immediately.
Keep
stairways clear.
Make
sure there are no loose rugs on the floor. Put specially designed pads under
rugs to hold them securely to the floor's surface.
Apply
nonskid strips to the bottoms of bathtubs.
Outdoors
Be
sure outdoor playground equipment is safe, with no loose parts or rust.
Playground
surfaces should be soft to absorb the shock of falls. Good surface materials
include sand and wood chips: avoid playgrounds with concrete and packed dirt.
Never
allow a child to play on a trampoline, even with adult supervision.
To
prevent injury from firearms:
Accidental
shootings take the lives of 250 children aged 14 and under in the United States
each year. The best way to prevent injury and death from firearms is to avoid
keeping guns in your home and avoid exposing your children to households where
guns are kept. If you do own a firearm, or the parents of your children's
playmates do, protect your children by ensuring that these rules are followed
in your own home and in any home your children visit:
Store
guns in a securely locked case, out of children's reach. All firearms should be
stored unloaded and in the uncooked position.
Store
ammunition in a separate place, in a securely locked container out of
children's reach.
Always
use trigger locks or other childproof devices. Make revolvers childproof by
attaching a padlock so that the cylinder cannot be locked into place.
Always
practice gun safety, and be sure to emphasize to children that guns are not
toys and should never be played with.
Take
a firearm safety course to learn the safe and correct way to use your firearm.
To
prevent poisoning:
Accidental
poisoning can occur when a child ingests medications, cleaning products,
alcohol, cosmetics, or other toxins. Many well-meaning adults fail to recognize
how toxic certain substances can be and leave them in accessible places.
Protect your child from the dangers of poisoning by following these rules:
Medications
Store
all medications - prescription and nonprescription - in a locked cabinet, far
from children's reach.
Never
leave vitamin bottles, aspirin bottles, or other medications on the kitchen
table, countertops, bedside tables, or dresser tops. Small children may decide
to emulate adults and help themselves.
Don't
ever tell a child that medicine is "candy."
Take
special precautions when you have house guests. Be sure their medications are
far from reach, preferably locked in one of their bags.
Don't
keep aspirin or other medicines in a pocketbook; children may find them when
searching for gum or a toy.
Child-resistant
packaging does not mean childproof packaging. Don't rely on packaging to
protect your children.
Always
keep pills and liquids in their original containers.
Never
administer medication to a child in the dark: you may give the wrong dosage or
even the wrong medication.
After
taking or administering medication, be sure to reattach the safety cap, and
store the medication away safely.
Cleaning
products
Store
household cleaning products and aerosol sprays in a high cabinet far from
reach. Don't keep any cleaning supplies under the sink, including dishwasher
detergent and dishwashing liquids.
Never
put cleaning products in old soda bottles or containers that were once used for
food.
When
you are cleaning or using household chemicals, never leave the bottles
unattended if there is a small child present.
Never
put roach powders or rat poison on the floors of your home.
Keep
hazardous automotive and gardening products in a securely locked area in your
garage.
Alcohol
Don't
leave alcoholic drinks where children can reach them. Take special care during
parties - guests may not be conscious of where they've left their drinks. Clean
up promptly after the party.
Keep
bottles of alcohol in a locked cabinet far from children's reach.
Keep
mouthwash out of the reach of children. Many mouthwashes contain substantial
amounts of alcohol.
Lead
paint
If
you have an older home, have the paint tested for lead.
Do
not use cribs, bassinets, highchairs, painted toys, or toy chests made before
1978; these may have a finish that contains dangerously high levels of lead.
Other
items
Never
leave cosmetics and toiletries within easy reach of children. Be especially
cautious with perfume, hair dye, hair spray, nail and shoe polish, and nail
polish remover.
Learn
all the names of the plants in your house, and remove any that could be toxic.
Discard
used button-cell batteries safely, and store any unused ones far from
children's reach (alkaline substances are poisonous).
To
prevent strangulation:
Babies
and children have been strangled by strings on clothing, cords, and infant
furniture and accessories. Prevent strangulation by avoiding these sources and
modifying certain items in your home:
Drawstrings,
ribbons, and cords
Don't
buy garments with drawstrings, which can catch on objects and strangle a child.
Cut all drawstrings out of hoods, jackets, and waistbands in your child's
wardrobe. Cut strings off mittens.
Clip
strings or ribbons off hanging mobiles and other crib toys.
Strings
on crib bumpers should be no longer than six inches.
Always
tie up window blind cords so they are out of your child's reach. Cut the cords
so there is no loop at the bottom, then secure them with clothespins or
specially designed cord clips.
Don't
let long telephone cords dangle to the floor.
Resist
the temptation to put necklaces or headbands on your baby.
Never
tie a pacifier around your baby's neck.
Don't
tether a pacifier to your baby's clothing with a ribbon or piece of string.
Don't
hang diaper bags or purses on cribs - a baby can become entangled in the straps
or strings.
Infant
furniture and accessories
Crib
slats should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart; anything wider can trap a
child's head.
Avoid
cribs with cutouts in the headboard or footboard.
Never
leave a child alone in a stroller; a child can slide down and trap his head.
Don't
use old accordion-style gates. These can trap a child's head.
To
prevent suffocation:
Because
babies are not yet able to raise their heads, they need special protection from
suffocation. But small children are also at risk, primarily due to plastic bags
of all sizes. Protect your children from the dangers of suffocation by
following these rules:
Never
place an infant face down on soft bedding, such as a waterbed, quilt, sheepskin
rug, or mattress cover. The same holds true for any type of soft pillow, such
as a beanbag or bead-filled pillow. Avoid large stuffed animals.
Be
sure that a crib mattress fits snugly in the crib. This keeps a baby from
slipping in between the mattress and the crib sides.
Never
put an infant down on a mattress covered with plastic or a plastic bag.
Promptly
dispose of plastic shopping bags and plastic dry-cleaning bags. Tie several
knots in each bag before throwing it out.
When
cleaning up after a birthday party or holiday, pay special attention to all
plastic bags from toy packaging. Collect them and throw them out immediately.
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