Grandpa Richards Kids

All parents worry about whether they have done everything possible to ensure their child’s safety. As our children grow the task sometimes seems to get a bit more difficult. Their sense of adventure and bravery heightens which means that nothing in their path is off limits. Even with strict rules and safety guidelines, children are apt to curiously investigate things- which is often how they get hurt. In order to help you, here is a quick list of reference points to remind all parents about the places in the home and beyond that should never be overlooked when it comes to the implementation of child safety measures!

The Busy Parent Guide to Child Safety!

• Check your home for electrical hazards. Cords, uncovered sockets or faulty appliances.

• If your children have learned to open up the safety locks on drawers and cabinets – purchase a large plastic pantry (available at home improvement stores) that can be locked. This can be used to store all chemicals and dangerous items and cannot be manipulated by anything but a key!
• Medications, prescriptions and other medical instruments and devices should be kept where children can not find them. The number to poison control should be listed at all times in an obvious location.
• Make sure that all heavy furniture, TV’s, stereos and other things are secured to the wall when possible.
• No home (even one without kids) should be without a fire detector and carbon monoxide detector. Make it part of your routine to perform maintenance often and keep them in working order. They should be on every floor and near every bedroom. Make a fire plan with your kids.
• Keep an old fashioned corded phone in the home in case of power outages but be sure that little kids cannot become entangled in the cord.
• Keep knives and other sharp objects out of drawers where kids can accidentally reach in and cut themselves.
• Inspect your outdoor play areas for ants, spiders, snakes and make sure that your decking and railings throughout are stable.
• If you have stairs in the home, make sure baby baby safety are used at the top and bottom. Only used installed gates at the top and never place scatter rugs near the tops of stairs.
• Never place beds or furniture near windows. Windows that are low to the ground should be equipped with safety locks to prevent children from falling out.
• Keep your water heater set at 120 degrees to prevent burns and scalds.
• Constantly be on the lookout for choking hazards. These can be parts from small toys or even things such as a staple or paper clip.
• Keep doors leading outdoors locked so young children can’t inadvertently wander outside.
• Keep fans, air conditioners, VCRS and any other things that can trap small fingers out of reach at all times.
• Travel through your home on hands or knees or at your child’s level so you can see danger from their point of view.
• Never leave children unsupervised! This is especially true while in the bathroom or around water!