If you’re a parent, you probably consider worrying one of your hobbies and protecting your kids your unofficial job. Although the world can be a dangerous place, accidents are just as likely to happen at home as they are at school or on the playground. Following a few of these suggestions will help make your New Jersey home safer for your kids.
Falls are the most common non-fatal injuries in the 0 to 19 age range, according to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The risk of falls can be reduced if you:
Falls can also occur in slippery shower stalls and bathtubs. Reduce falls by adding grab bars to walls and placing non-slip adhesive decals or strips on the bottom of the bathtub or on the shower floor. Use flooring that doesn’t become slippery when it’s wet. If you choose natural stone for the floor, pick textured stone rather than tiles with a smooth finish.
Toddlers often view the toilet as just another place to splash or sail toy boats. Unfortunately, young children can drown easily if they happen to topple into the toilet bowl headfirst. Prevent accidents by installing toilet locks on all of your toilets, even in bathrooms your child doesn’t enter normally.
Burns are another potential bathroom hazard, particularly if you use the higher settings on your water heater. For safety’s sake, follow the Burn Foundation’s recommendations and set your water heater no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Blinds controlled by strings pose a strangulation risk for young children. Although many of these types of blinds have been recalled, older homes may still have them, or new homeowners may bring the blinds from their former homes.
When replacing your blinds, look for safer options, such as window coverings that can be raised or lowered by pulling or pushing on the bottom rail. Although newer blinds may not feature any obvious cords, they may still be controlled by strings internally. For that reason, it’s best to keep cribs, furniture and toys away from windows and discourage children from playing with window coverings.
In addition to eliminating hazards throughout your home, consider adding a designated playroom to your home. Cover the floor with soft carpeting, cork or colorful rubber mats. If your home doesn’t feature tamper-resistant electrical receptacles, add covers to your outlets to prevent shocks or serious injuries. Make sure furniture is well-padded and doesn’t contain sharp or hard edges. Add plenty of storage cabinets and options for toys. Look for cabinets, toy boxes and containers that are easy to operate and offer slow-closing hinges.
Curious children love to climb on furniture or use it to steady themselves up when they’re learning to stand and walk. Unfortunately, unsecured dressers, TVs and other types of furniture can fall on kids, causing severe, potentially fatal injuries. Use anchors, brackets and straps to securely attach furniture to walls. Televisions should be securely mounted to the wall or to television stands.
Sharp knives, boiling water and other hazards just may make the kitchen one of the most dangerous rooms in your home. Protect your kids by storing knives, cleaning products, dishwasher pods and spices (some of which are toxic if ingested in large amounts) in high cabinets secured by childproof latches.
Remove knobs from your stovetop as soon as you finish cooking to prevent your kids from accidentally turning on burners. A stove guard attached to the front of the stovetop provides an extra layer of protection against burns.
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Sources:
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: What Causes Pediatric Injury?
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pediatric/conditioninfo/causes
Burn Foundation: Safety Facts on Scale Burns
http://www.burnfoundation.org/programs/resource.cfm?c=1&a=3