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When you move into a new home, there are many things you can do to ensure your child’s safety and the following are some simple tips to avoid accidents and serious injury or death.
First we will cover some gadgets and their uses. Many of these items can be purchased from a hardware store, baby specialty store, grocery store, or even online. All safety items should be able to prevent access and be durable enough for the child and easy for the adult to use. Make sure to follow instructions exactly to ensure your child’s safety.
CORD SHORTENERS: Make sure your blinds at home do not have looped cords. The cord shorteners can be used to avoid cords hanging too low on blinds, drapes, lamps, and appliances. These are used to help prevent your child from tripping, pulling, entanglement, and/or possible strangulation. When ordering window treatments, make sure you ask for safety features. You can also get blind cord information safety tips at www.windowcoverings.org.
ELECTRICAL OUTLETS/POWER STRIP COVERS: These covers can reduce the hazard of an open electrical outlet which can be used to help protect your child getting electrocuted. Be sure outlet protectors are not easily removable.
GATES OR SHIELDS: Gates or shields can be used on stairs, balconies, decks,or any potentially unsafe areas to help prevent falls, prevent pets entering, and or prevent children from entering a dangerous area. It is important to make sure they do not come apart easy. When using a gate at the top of the stairs, make sure they screw into the walls. Avoid gates that have v-shapes, that are large enough for a childs head or neck to get trapped.
WINDOW GUARDS/SAFETY NETTING: These are used to prevent falls from windows or between railings. You should limit the window to open about 4” or less which includes the space between the guard bars. Make sure you leave one window in each room easily accessible in case of fires as an escape. Screens are not an effective way to prevent falls. If you are using house mover, or doing it yourself, it is a good idea to avoid putting furniture too close to windows as children can climb up and possible fall through.
BIFOLDS FOR DOORS/STOPPERS/LATCHES/DOOR LOCKS: Bifolds for closets or doors are used to prevent fingers getting stuck in the cracks or pinched. Stoppers also can be used for this reason, and to avoid slamming doors and holes in the walls. The latches and locks can be used on cabinets, drawers, kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas of caution to prevent access by children, or to protect fragile items. Items including medicines, cleaners, flammables, poisons, and sharp objects should always be locked away. The locks should be easy to install and use but be durable enough to take pulling and tugging by children.
EMERGENCY DOOR LOCK RELEASE: The emergency door lock release should always be considered to avoid children getting locked in or out of somewhere.
PATIO DOOR LOCKS: These locks are used to prevent easy access to the outside area, especially when there are animals, or pools, etc involved.
FIRE ALARMS: Every home should have a fire alarm or smoke detecter. Safety route plans should be discussed with the child in case of fire. Make sure to do frequent checks to make sure the unit is working properly with charged batteries.
CO2 ALARM: These alarms can avoid Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Many deaths occur every year, and frequent checks to make sure the battery is working in every unit is a smart way to go.
ANTISCALDING DEVICES: These devices can prevent burns. A child can get a 3rd degree burn in 3 seconds in water that is over 140 degrees. Water should be set about 120 degrees to avoid burns.
LIGHT SWITCH EXTENSIONS/NIGHT LIGHTS: The extensions can make it easier for your child to turn on or off lights, and nightlights can avoid frequent wakeups in the middle of the night or a child tripping and injuring themselves.
SWIMMING POOL ALARMS/COVERS: The alarms or covers can be used to avoid accidental drowning. If not in use, a cover is a good idea to prevent fall ins. The alarm will also detect if something or someone has fallen into the pool and will sound until shut off by the adult or proper party.
CHILD HAND RAILS: The hand rail can be used for stair cases in case the handle is too high for the child to reach.
PLAYYARDS/TENTS/DRIVEWAY SAFETY NETTING: The playards or tents can be used to keep pets out and avoid unwanted wandering. The driveway netting is used to help create boundaries for your child and for drivers.
FURNITURE LATCHES/ANTI-TIP DEVICES: These help secure furniture to walls and prevent furniture from falling onto the child if they are climbing up the piece.
FURNITURE BUMPERS: These can be used around sharp edges, or hard corners to avoid injury to the child running into or bumping into.
BEDRAILS/GUARDS: These can be used to avoid children rolling or falling out of bed.
KITCHEN SAFETY: Fridge guards, oven and stove locks and washer and dryer latches can all be used to avoid your child from having access to these appliances without supervision.
BATHROOM: Toilet locks can be used to prevent clogging or accidental drowing, tub handles can prevent falls, and tub bumpers can be used when the infants tub is too big to avoid hitting the sides to hard.
FIREPLACE GUARDS: can be used to prevent a child from opening or falling in and getting burned.
All of these items can help ensure a childs safety and will be helpful prior to your move in, or once you are settled in after your move.
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