As a parent, your main concern for your children is their safety. And while you might have been very vigilant about babyproofing your home before you little ones arrived, as they get older, you may find yourself being more relaxed about protecting them from every hazard in the home.
But because so many injuries that children sustain happen within their own homes, it’s vital that you continue to do everything in your power to keep your kids protected at home even as they grow up. One of the things to consider is addressing potential electrical hazards.
For example, making sure that all the electrical outlets and switches are in good working condition can help prevent any accidents. Regular maintenance and repairs by professionals for Milwaukee Electrical Outlet Switch Repair, or a location nearby, can help keep your home safe for kids. Moreover, ensure that heavy decorations and furniture do not pose a threat of tipping over. Securing these items to the wall or floor can provide additional safety, especially in areas where children are playing.
Another important aspect to consider is slippery floors. Did you know that many injuries children sustain at home come from slipping accidents? And, one of the leading causes of slippery floors is water. Whether it’s from spills, leaks, or even tracked-in moisture, water on the floor can create a serious hazard. To prevent this, it’s crucial to regularly mop your floors and ensure they are completely dry, especially in areas where your children play or walk frequently.
In addition to keeping the floors dry, it’s equally important to inspect your home for any leaky pipes or faucets. A small leak might seem harmless at first, but over time, even a minor drip can lead to water pooling on the floor, creating a dangerous, slippery surface. These unnoticed leaks can increase the risk of falls and injuries for your kids. If you detect any signs of a leak, don’t wait. Call dallas plumbers, or a plumber in your area, right away to address the issue. A professional plumber can not only fix the leak but also inspect your home’s plumbing system to ensure there are no other hidden problems.
To help you keep your kids further protected at home, here are three tips to keep in mind:
Properly Store Medicines and Cleaning Supplies
When your children were babies and toddlers, it was important that you kept medicines and cleaning supplies away from them so that they didn’t accidentally ingest them. But as your kids get older, the reasons for keeping these things properly stored will start to change a little.
While you might not be concerned with your older children accidentally taking medicine because they think it’s candy, HealthFinder.gov shares that you should still keep certain medicines away from your kids to keep them from taking too much of a medicine or from taking a prescription that isn’t theirs. Because of these dangers, you should also still keep the number for your local poison control in a very visible place.
Know Which Areas To Be Most Vigilant In
There are certain areas of your home where your kids are more likely to get hurt. Once you know what these areas are, you can better know how to mitigate problems that could arise there.
According to the National Safety Council, the most dangerous places in a home are the bathrooms, any place where there’s heat or flames, wherever toxic substances are kept, and around the stairs. To keep your kids safer in these areas, survey your home for potential disasters that might happen and then come up with your own plans for how to keep those disasters from happening.
It is important to equip yourself completely to handle any situation in which your children are involved in an accident, such as tripping, or suffering burn injuries. In the event that your child’s hand is burnt, for instance, you can find out more on how to handle it beforehand and keep all the necessary aid at home. If you’ve bandaged the wound properly, take them to the doctor at the soonest opportunity, and you can take necessary precautions to make sure that they don’t experience this again.
Limit Distractions In Hazardous Areas
Another reason why kids are more likely to get hurt at their own home is that they get too comfortable and allow for distractions to let their guard down. To prohibit this, you might want to consider how you can limit distractions in hazardous areas.
According to Amanda Knowles, a contributor to SafeKids.org, this should include keeping distractions to a minimum when your kids are playing outside, taking baths, or participating in an activity where they could otherwise get hurt.
To help your children be safe and feel safe within the walls of their own home, consider using the tips mentioned above to increase their safety and your awareness.