Kids’ safety at home is a major concern among parents. Home is meant to be a safe space for children to grow up in. However, accidents can and do happen in every household. Luckily, we have the safety tips to decrease the chances of your children getting hurt.
Stick Your Eyes to Your Kids
When it comes to raising children, there are basically two main rules: one is to always teach them how to be safe. This is a timeless lesson, and it bears mentioning.
The second one is teaching them not to panic. Panicking leads to anxiety, which can make things worse. So if you do get into a situation, try to stay calm. Your kids can feel you freaking out, and they will follow suit.
Furthermore, you should keep your eyes on your kids. Yes, even when they are drawing, playing, running around, swimming, etc. This is so you can step in to protect them as well as remind them of the importance of being careful.
You cannot be around your children all the time so teach them how to be careful. That can mean showing them how to climb a tree safely or teaching them how to swim instead of relying on pool covers which they will be tempted to walk on.
Install Socket Protection
Home safety equipment has come along since back in the day. There is socket protection, items to make corners less sharp, etc. You can invest in these for extra safety. However, if a child hurts themselves once on the edge of a table, they will not do it again because they will avoid corners like the plague.
Also, make sure that the stove is off and cold after using it. Stoves are at a reachable height for a lot of kids, and they must understand that they can burn and hurt them. Try to make this clear to them while making sure they do not touch it while it is hot.
Keep Poisonous and Hazardous Chemicals Away
Cleaning chemicals and medicines should be out of the reach of children while also being locked away. When it comes to cleaning chemicals, be it for the kitchen or bathroom, etc., make sure that you close the lid well and pack it away high above in a locked cupboard. There are safety caps on many bottles, but these are not always reliable.
Furthermore, when it comes to medicine, also keep it away from the kids. Kids are curious but not stupid. However, they are in the process of learning — and imitating. Therefore, if they see you take your medicine, they will do the same. They can think of them as sweets. Make it clear to them not to take any while keeping your pills locked away and out of reach.
This can also apply to alcohol since, to them, it looks like juice. While you can lock all of this away and out of reach, make sure to always teach them not to eat this type of stuff anyway. These lessons when it comes to cleaning chemicals will prepare them for the future.
Be Attentive During Bath Times
If you are bathing your child, think of the tun as dangerous as a swimming pool. Therefore, you must be present both mentally and physically while they are taking a bath. Not only could they drown themselves by mistake, but they could hurt themselves in other ways.
Baths are slippery, and they could fall while getting in and out. Help them with these tasks while showing them how to do them safely and slowly. The latter is important when they are very young and are still learning how to move. Also, make sure that you are aware of what is happening while they are in the bath. Do not leave them alone there in case something happens. You have to be there to react and help them. Also, have another dry towel just in case you need it.
Small and Big Object Awareness
As we have mentioned, kids are curious. Therefore, they want to put little things in their mouths, ears, and up their noses. That is why there are choking hazard warnings on many toy boxes for little items. Make sure that you take and keep these away from them. Also, be on a constant lookout while they are playing to make sure that they do not put these items in their eyes, ears, mouth, etc. Rush into action if you see them choking.
Regarding big items such as furniture like tables and chairs, well, make sure that you are there to watch them and teach them what not to do. Like, jump from the couch to the table. That can be dangerous, and they could get badly injured. Furthermore, make sure that you do not have big and heavy objects placed above them on a shelf since they can fall easily.
Also, be aware of the places of the tables and chairs. A good way to organize your furniture is by:
- Make sure they have space to run around.
- Make sure that the corners are not sharp.
- Do not leave small items all over the place.
As well as:
- Teach them how to sit on a chair and couch.
- Be aware of them when they are around furniture.
- Do not move furniture and other smaller items around. This will confuse them.
Keeping Everything in Place
Building on the previous point, you should also make sure that everything has a place and that it is in that place. If a child is finished playing with their toys, make sure they pack them away or do it for them.
Also, make sure to pick up after them. You can teach them to do this task since it is a good skill, but they can miss a few items. Make sure the floors are clean of stuff that they can step on, run into, etc. Keeping everything in place can also apply to cleaning chemicals, medicines, alcohol, etc.
Store and Safe Keep First Aid Kits
Accidents do happen, and children do get hurt. This is part of growing up and learning. So, make sure that you have a first aid kit in case they need it. This can be a store-bought one for kids or one that you make yourself. You can include bandages, plasters, fluids, etc.
However, also show them where the plasters are and teach them how to apply them if need be. You would want to teach them skills and lessons every step of the way.
Last Note
Having a kid can be stressful, as you already know. However, make sure not to panic and always be ready to teach your kids how to be careful. It is a lesson that will stick with them for the rest of their lives.