|
Parents could use the following as a home
safety checklist to minimize potential dangers and accidents at home.
It contains home safety tips for kids in different areas of the
residence:
In the Living Room
• Fit corner guards on the edges of tables.
• Use rubber doormats or those with anti-skid base.
• Remove glass tops, vases and all easily breakable items.
• Use stair gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
• Keep stairs and walkways clear of clutter.
• Wall sockets must have safety covers or be hidden behind furniture.
• Rugs or carpets should have a non-skid backing to prevent slipping.
In the Bathroom
• Never leave your child unattended in the bath even for a few seconds.
• Test the temperature of bath water with your elbow before putting
your baby in.
• Store razors, shampoos and cleaning agents in high cupboards - well
out of your child's reach.
• Water-filled containers must be well covered, and keep the bathroom
door closed always.
In the Bedroom
• Never leave your baby unattended unless he is safe in a cot or
playpen.
• Place a baby monitor where your baby is to keep track of what he is
up to.
• Windows must be fitted with safety grills and locks.
• Avoid placing too many blankets and pillows in the cot.
• Keep furniture away from windows.
• Check toys for detachable parts that can pose a choking hazard for
your baby.
In the Kitchen
• Knives and all other sharp tools should be kept in high cabinets.
• Store glass and chinaware well out of reach of children.
• Clean up food and water spills immediately to prevent slipping.
• Tidy up dangling wires of electric appliances, which look temptingly
fun to pull on.
• Keep children away from matches, hot beverages and cooking oils.
• Always use a harness when your baby is in a high chair.
• Low-lying cabinets and drawers should be fitted with safety latches.
In the Garden
• Keep garden tools, fertilizers and pesticides locked away.
• Unused pools should be drained or filled with sand.
• If you have a swimming pool, have the gate locked at all times.
• Check garden swings and other play equipment for loose nuts and
bolts.
Out and About
• Safety gates are essential to stop your baby from crawling outside
the house when you are not looking.
• When out shopping, keep a safety harness on your baby to avoid having
him wander off in the crowd.
• Playgrounds should have impact-absorbing surfaces to minimize injury
in case of a fall. In addition, ensure that there are no loose parts,
or chipped wooden or metal pieces.
• Check sandpits for dangerous object, such as broken glass, sharp
sticks and stones, needles or animal fasces.
Potent Poisons
Never allow your child to play with medicines, especially
iron-containing tablets, as he may ingest them accidentally and end up
being poisoned. Therefore, lock all poisonous substances in a cabinet,
and keep them out of reach of children always.
Watch Those Wires!
Any form of wires, cords, plastic bags or strings can pose a
strangulation threat to your baby.
Final Tips for Parents
Young children need to be supervised at all times. If you are working,
ensure that you leave the caregiver another emergency number apart from
yours in case she cannot contact you.
|
