10 Tips to Keep Kids Safer at Home

 

Did you know furniture and TV tip-over accidents are a common cause of injuries among children, especially the little ones? You can help prevent this potentially deadly scenario. Anchor/secure furniture and TVs securely, put TVs on low bases, keep remote controls and other items that attract small children off furniture and TV stands, install anti-tip brackets on free-standing kitchen ranges, and keep cable cord out of children’s reach.

 

Here 10 additional tips to protect the youngest members of your household:

1. Soften the sharp or rough edges of furniture, walls and fireplace hearths with corner bumpers, cushions and pads.
2. Install safety locks and latches on cabinets and drawers in the kitchen, bathrooms, garage, workshop and other places — particularly where sharp, suffocating, poisonous or other potentially harmful items are stored.
3. Curious toddlers or kids playing hide-and-seek could find their way into empty refrigerators, freezers, storage cases, washing machines and dryers, ovens or car trunks. Lock up potentially dangerous hiding places.
4. Shorten cords on window coverings and blinds to keep them out of children’s reach. Use tension devices on vertical blinds and drapes, and safety tassels on mini-blinds to avoid the possibility of children getting tangled. Keep ropes out of their reach. Run cable, wires or phone lines through a wire harness or molded housing, or use twist ties.
5. On higher floors, install windows with limited opening capability so you can get fresh air without sacrificing safety. Where windows, balconies, decks and landings are situated in high places, guards and/or safety netting are good choices for averting injuries from accidental falls. However, make sure window guards can be opened quickly by an adult in case of an emergency.
6. Keep children out of areas that present potential water hazards, unless there is adult supervision. Swimming pools, spas, and ponds on your property should be fenced and kept locked. If not in use, cover the area securely. In case of a breach, it is also wise to install water-surface alarms, as well as alarms on outdoor gates serving recreational areas.
7. Choose well-constructed space heaters that do not conduct heat to the outer shell of the unit. Wrap water heaters with padding. Use a stovetop burner cover and stove-knob locks, or at least cook on back burners whenever possible. To prevent potential burns from scalding water, have a plumber install temperature-regulating devices on faucets and showerheads.
8. Use outlet covers and plates on electrical outlets to remove the chance of shock. Be sure to choose large enough outlet covers and secure well to remove any possibility of little fingers tampering.
9. For toddlers, use safety gates at the top of the stairs to prevent an accidental fall, or at room entrances, where heavy objects or wires should be avoided. Avoid gates with openings large enough for a child’s head to fit through. Choose those that stay in place, but can be opened quickly by an adult in case of an emergency.
10. Doors stops and knobs. Avoid injuries to fingers and hands by adding doorstops or holders to keep doors from slamming shut. Use doorknob covers to deny little hands from getting a grip on knobs of entry and exit doors, bathroom or closet doors.