Safety for the kids is the topmost priority of parents. As much as possible, parents try to avoid encountering dilemmas that involve the health and security of their children. That’s why keeping homes hazard-free matters to all parents.
Accidents can happen any time of the day, anywhere in the house. It’s better to avoid them and make precautions than to risk anything. As what most people argue, prevention is better than cure and a lot of people agree with that. And it is not only parents who say this, but also other individuals who believe in setting precautions first than risking anything.
Children spend most of their time indoors, so a home environment that’s safe is vital. Setting your house into a danger proof haven needs more than time and effort, it needs a strategy. Learn the best ways to keep your children safe from hazards with this list.
1. In cases of Fires
Residential fires are occurrences that can be prevented with the right kind of safety measures. First of all, install a smoke alarm on every floor of the house. Every month, test the alarm to see if it is still working properly. Also, set the fire extinguisher in an accessible section of the house.
Reminders:
- keep matches and candles away from children
- check LPG cylinder regularly to ensure that the pressure relief valves are not damaged
- teach kids to avoid playing near the kitchen
- avoid leaving the stove unattended
- when using candles during electricity shortages, have an adult supervision with kids
- make it a routine to check the electric wires around the house
2. In cases of Scalding or Burns
One common problem for parents is incidents of burns on children. The frequent causes are hot liquids like soups and beverages (milk or milo). Some injuries are painful enough to be rushed to the emergency, while others only leave marks of redness. In your first aid kit, include ointments that will soothe small burns.
Reminders:
- turn pot handles and pots far from the reach of children
- place hot beverages and soups in the middle of the table, not near the edges
- check the hotness of the drinks before handing it to the kids
- wrap appliance cords (of coffee makers or electronic pots) on the sides, so children don’t reach it
- tell kids to avoid the kitchen when someone is cooking or just don’t play in the kitchen
3. Windows and Stairs Troubles
Kids have high energy and vivid imaginations, and sometimes, they wander around the house unattended. There are cases where children fall out the window or tumble down the stairs. Making sure these accidents never happen to your kid is important.
Install guard rails on your windows. Have rows of bars that are only four inches apart secured tightly on the sides of the window frame. But it can still be easily unhooked in cases of fire.
For the stairs, set up a wall-mouth baby gate on the bottom and top of the stairs. Surround the corners with cushions to make it safer.
Reminders:
- close the gates all the time
- check the screws on the window frames to make it’s not loosened
- tell kids to avoid playing near the windows (especially if it’s on the second floor) or on stairs
- take careful steps when going up and down the stairs
- never lean outside the window (if there are windows in the house without railings)
4. Wires and Furniture Edges
Homes are filled with different appliances, and sometimes, the wires can get disorganized. Kids can fall flat on their faces when tangled with the mess. Also, the edges of some furniture are sharp and pointy. The kids when moving around the room can get hurt when they accidentally bump on the side.
Move the appliances closer to the outlet and turn the wires into a loop. Hide the wires behind the appliances or enclose it with something that makes it invisible to the kids. Also, cover the electric outlets with plastic caps when not in use. Extension wires, if you are using one, should be placed on places that kids can’t reach.
For the furniture, cover the edges with foam and adhesive tape. Make the covered area irremovable even to the kids. Include rugs with a non-slip coating in your rooms, so the chances of slipping are little.
Reminders:
- teach kids not to touch the outlet and wires
- unplug appliances after use and cover the outlet
- avoid having large furniture in the area where the kids play
- relocated the outlets to a safer place that’s out of reach for children
- always check the edges of the furniture in the house
5. Bugs on the House
Pests are annoying problems in the house. Cockroaches, ants, and mice are unsanitary and should not be in close proximation with your kids. But pesticides, which are used in homes, are known to have harmful effects on the health of your children and for yourself.
Instead of using pesticides to kill off the pests, you can do alternative ways to bar them off your home.
Seal off crevices and cracks on the walls and floors of every room in your house. Keep the kitchen floor and sink clean from food particles after cooking or washing the dishes. After eating, clean up the crumbs and mess left behind.
Reminders:
- teach kids to throw their garbage properly
- take out your trash daily
- store food in the proper area (refrigerator for example)
- don’t leave leftovers uncovered on the dining table
- if the job is hard, call experts
And these are the things you can do to make your homes safe from elements of danger. As a parent, your job is extended not only to keeping your kids healthy but also keeping the environment safe. Safety first, as always.
Rachelle Anne writes different blogs, She’s best known for writing romance, home improvements and language. She also writes for AmaiaLand, townhouse in Quezon city in the Philippines. Rachelle find writing and researching fun. She always dreaming to work in translation agency when she was a kid. She look forward to work full time in translation agency sometime.