Child Proofing Your House
Why Is It Important That I Child Proof My House?
Children aged one to four are far more likely to be killed by drowning, motor vehicle accident, pedestrian injury, fire, burns, or choking, in that order, than by a stranger's violence. Child Proofing your home is the easiest way to cut down on the likelihood of any of these happening.
How Do I Go About Child Proofing?
- install safety devices
- use your common sense in removing high risk items
- gadgets are no substitute for child supervision and can offer a false sense of security
- hire a professional child proofer
There are three key stages to child proof against and these are:-
- before your baby arrives
- before your baby crawls
- before your baby starts toddling and climbing
What Considerations Do I Need To Make?
Start by getting down on your hands and knees when your child is an infant and thinking like an infant!
- start looking up to determine which cupboards, drawers, and other spaces he might get into.
- lock up or move to an inaccessible spot every potential hazard including cleaning fluids, medicines, vitamins, knives, poisons, tiny objects that a baby could put into their mouth and so on
- security gates can help to control the areas your child has access to
- re-assess your child proofing measures as your child grows older
- try to be mindful when guests visit. Aspirin, lipstick, and other items that grandma might typically carry in her handbag are dangerous to small children.
- large and/or heavy objects can be dangerous. Push items like televisions back from the edge of cabinets or move them out of reach. Children start pulling up on things shortly after they start crawling. And when they learn how to climb, cupboards, tables and bookcases all become a great challenge
Should I Install Safety Gates?
Most parents consider safety gates essential. They give peace of mind, allowing you to keep outside doors for air while keeping your child inside, to contain your child in one room or blocking their access to dangerous areas such as stairways or bathrooms.
Look for gates that you child is unable to dislodge, but that you can open and close easily.
If you are able to afford to buy security gates new, then we recommend that you do so. Gates for the top of the stairs oftern screw to the wall for extra security rather than staying put by pressure.
What Can I Do To Prevent The Risk Of House Fire?
- smoke detectors can be installed in every room of the house relatively cheaply. Check them regularly to be sure they're working, and change the batteries every year. A working smoke detector can reduce the chances of dying in a fire in half.
- if you have a an open fire, keep a fire extinguisher and have it serviced or checked according to the manufacturer's instructions
- start talking to your child about the dangers of fire and you the fire escape route from your house at an early age
How Do I Reduce The Risk Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Carbon monoxide poisoning is believed to kill approximately 24 children ages 14 and under and sends more than 3,500 to hospital every year. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas produced by malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances including water heaters, ovens, stoves, gas dryers, and emergency generators. It is especially dangerous because you can't smell, see, or taste it. A carbon monoxide detector can be installed in the home.
How Can I Prevent My Child Drowning In The Home?
A baby can drown in one inch of water. . This seemingly unlikely scenario happens because young children are top-heavy. If they lose their balance while peering into a toilet or bucket, they typically fall in headfirst and can't get out.
Buckets containing liquid used for mopping floors and other household chores have been responsible for too many baby and toddler deaths in the UK. Most of the victims are between 8 and 14 months old.
- get rid of standing water or other liquids in buckets and other containers
- don’t leave water standing in the bath. Pull the plug and let the water empty as you continue your bedtime routine
- supervise children when in paddling pools, garden ponds, and water features – however small.
How Can I Reduce The Risk Of My Child And Windows?
- do not place a babies cot or bed near a window blinds with pull cords. A baby can become entangled and strangle in a matter of minutes.
- If the window must have cords, ensure that they are wound up or tied up well out of the way
- Falling out of open windows is another potential risk. Open double-hung windows from the top or fit them with locks to prevent small children from opening them.
- Low windows should not open more than a few inches. You might choose to install some form of window guards
Is There Anything Else I Should Consider?
- Keep a first aid kit handy
- Ensure that babysitters know where to find the first aid and any medication in your home and how to respond in an emergency
Click here to learn about Childproofing Your Garden
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