Children are inherently curious creatures. They enjoy exploring their surroundings and testing their limits. Unfortunately, this curiosity sometimes leads to accidents. Unfortunately, accidents are the leading cause of death and hospital admissions for children in the United States. To help keep your little ones safe, here’s a list of five common accidents and how to avoid them.
Falls
Falls are the most common type of accident for children. They can happen anywhere, at any time. Always use safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs to prevent your child from taking a tumble. Keep windows closed and locked when you’re not home, and never leave your child unattended on a balcony or high place.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are another leading cause of childhood fatalities. To help keep your child safe in the car, always use a correctly installed car seat appropriate for their age, height, and weight. Make sure they’re buckled in correctly every time you get in the car, and never leave them alone in the car, even for a minute.
Drowning
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children in the U.S. To prevent your child from drowning, never leave them alone near water—not even for a second. If you’re at the pool, beach, or lake, ensure someone is designated to watch them at all times. And teach them how to swim as soon as possible.
Fires
If there’s one thing you should take away from this blog post, you should never leave your child unattended around fire—not even for a minute! According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), children under five are at the most risk of dying in a residential fire. The best way to protect your child is to have smoke alarms in all sleeping areas and test them monthly. Plan and practice your family’s home fire escape route with everyone in your household, so everyone knows what to do if there’s a fire.
Poisoning
Accidental poisoning is another leading cause of childhood injury and death—but it’s also one of the most preventable. To help keep your child safe from accidental poisoning:
- Keep all medicines and cleaning products out of reach and sight.
- Never refer to medicine as “candy.”
- Read labels carefully before using any product.
- Dispose of unused or expired medication promptly.
By being aware of these five common accidents and taking precautions to avoid them, you can help keep your child safe from harm. However, it’s better to make your home accident-proof in the first place. Here are some ways you can do that.
Fencing
Fences play a huge role in child safety, especially around pools. If you have a pool, installing a fence at least four feet high and has a self-closing, self-latching gate is essential. If you don’t know how to install your fence, consider hiring a local fence contractor. These contractors specialize in different fences, so they can help you choose the right one for your needs and budget. They can also pick one to ensure their children are safe from harm.
Cordless Window Coverings
You must get cordless window coverings if you have young children in your home. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), window cords are one of the leading causes of injury and death for young children. Hundreds of young children are injured by window cords, and dozens are killed. To prevent your child from being harmed by a window cord, ensure all the window coverings in your home are cordless.
Home Safety Products
Many types of home safety products are on the market, from smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to safety gates and outlet covers. To help keep your home safe for your children, consider investing in some or all of these products. You can find them at most hardware stores or online.
Educate your Children
As a parent, one of the best things you can do to keep your child safe is to educate them about safety. Teach your children about electrical outlets, poisonous chemicals, hot surfaces, and other dangers around the home. The more they know about these hazards, the less likely they will be injured.
Have Family Rules
When it comes to safety, it’s essential to have family rules in place. For example, you might rule that no one goes outside alone or that everyone has to wear a helmet when riding a bike. Having these rules in place can help keep your children safe from harm.
Accidents are problematic in any household. Children who experience it might grow up with a traumatic memory that could last forever. To help avoid such accidents, practice safety in and out of the house. Stay alert, and never leave your children unattended. With these tips, you can help keep your children safe from harm.
