How Safe Is Your Home?

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Your home can be a place of safety or it can be a place for accidents to occur. Almost every day we hear on the news that someone, usually a child has been injured or worse, has died because of a preventable accident. A child’s sense of curiosity makes it imperative to keep your eye on every activity, but sometimes, according the Home Safety Council survey, “8 out of 10 parents admitted that they have briefly left their toddler unattended to take care of a personal need or household chore.” In just a few seconds alone, serious consequences can happen. Tall pieces of furniture, such as bookcases and armoires should be anchored to the wall to prevent them from tipping over if a child climbs on them. All electrical outlets and switches should be covered with safety faceplates. These faceplates are inexpensive and available at Walmart and Target and other stores. All windows should have window guards or window stops, especially those on the second floor, but MAKE SURE that an adult can open the window quickly in case of a fire. All products that are poisonous needs to be LOCKED away, along with matches and lighters. Some detergents that are advertised on TV, now specifically WARN about putting them out of the reach of children. All chemicals and medications and cleaning products need to be stored well out of reach, along with alcohol and other poisons. Very young children can drown in one or two inches of water in a short time. Put locks on toilet lids and on the outside of the bathroom door. Turn over large buckets and wading pools so they cannot collect water. Always stay within reach of a young child when they are in or near the pool, the tub, or any body of water. Use this as a checklist and go through your house and take care of making your house safe. Keep your children safe.