Safety At Home

Safety At Home – Children should be safe at home. Keeping children busy and having fun during the holiday break is a priority for all parents. It’s also important to be aware of potential hazards and risks.

Research from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than twelve thousand children 19 and younger die each year from preventable accidents. Safety at home means keeping homes safer for children of all ages.

Keep Kids Safe

Children, especially younger children, get hurt more often because they are smaller and less aware of danger. They are also curious and get hurt in ways that adults would not. Safety at home includes awareness of the most common causes of child injuries will help stop accidents and keep your child safer.

One of the most common accidents that hurt children is falling. Increase safety at home and prevent falls by supervising play activity. Do not let children play on furniture or near open windows. To protect particularly young children, block stairways with safety gates. Do not use baby walkers near stairs.

Children of all ages can choke on food. Some foods, such as hot dogs, hard candies and nuts are responsible for approximately 40% of choking deaths. Help prevent choking by monitoring what your child eats. Cut food into smaller bites when possible.

Preventing the most common burn injuries improves safety at home. Cook on back burners of the stove and turn handles backward, so children cannot pull or knock over pots

Basic Tips For A Safety At Home

• Keeping walkways and stairs clear of clutter to help prevent falls;
• Teaching children to put away toys to avoid tripping over them;
• Keeping small toys away from small children to prevent choking;
• Storing medicines, cleaners, and other chemicals up high and out of reach of children. If storing these items lower, use a child-proof cabinet lock;
• Testing home fire alarms often; and
• Practicing an exit plan with your children in case of fire

Johnson Law encourages Alaskans to adopt safety at home measures for a continued happy holiday season. We recommend these websites to parents and caregivers keen on increasing safety at home:

• Mom Junction – safety for children from birth through early teens;
• Childhood 101 – building a better environment for children 12 and younger; and
• Safe Kids Worldwide – monthly newsletter delivered to your email.

Johnson Law, P.C. has been helping Alaskans for 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Image Source: I’m The Chef Too