Children have little awareness of danger. Teach them, advise them, help them make the environment safer for them.
Everything catches their attention. They run around touching everything they see. In the process, they bump their heads, scrape their knees and get into all sorts of danger. 
Children have little experience and lack the awareness of danger. And when accidents occur, inadequate muscle coordination and speed physically prevent them from escaping. At home, danger lurks in many corners. In the kitchen are sharp utensils, steaming hot food, stoves and matches. We must therefore take very precaution to ensure that children are not endangered in any way. Here are some examples of potentially dangerous situations and objects and how we can prevent nasty accidents from happening.
Kitchen Hazards
Hot Foods
Scalds and burns occur when children spill over themselves hot food placed within easy reach. Related: Burns and Scalds To avoid these incidents:
- Place hot food and beverages at the center of the table and not on the edge.
- Avoid using tablecloths and placemats. They invite trouble as the child may pull on them while reaching for hard-to-reach objects.
- Do not make a habit of cooking or drinking hot beverages while carrying your child. Spilling the hot item on your child and over yourself is inevitable.
- Turn the handles of cooking pots and pans inwards or away from you so that the child cannot grab or pull them.
Kitchen Equipment
Properly used, kitchen tools and utensils are indispensable. However, they become a source of danger when used indiscriminately by the child. Here are some safety tips:
- Do not leave sharp objects and breakable utensils on counters and table tops. They should be stashed away in the upper cabinets or kept in drawers and cupboards with safety locks.
- Never leave an open flame on the stove.
- Keep the child out of the kitchen when the oven is in use, especially if it is located within his reach.
- While some microwave ovens are designed for use by older children, they should be reminded about the possibility of getting scalded.
- When children are old enough to help in the kitchen, train them to handle kitchen utensils and equipment properly. They must learn to give attention to the knife and what they are cutting, and to use oven mitts or hot pads when handling utensils.
Chemicals and Cleaning Aids
Chemicals like detergents and bleaches are irritant and toxic in nature. If ingested in large amounts, they can also cause poisoning. Effects of poisoning due to chemicals/cleaning aids may be further minimized if correct contra-poison procedures are done and appropriate antidotes given immediately.’’ Related: Poisoning
- Store chemicals and cleaning aids properly, ideally in out-of-reach cabinets. If they are to be stored in floor cabinets, make sure that these are locked.
- Follow the proper handling instructions to avoid spillage, and prevent possible contact with children.
- Chemicals and detergents should not be stored together with softdrinks and other beverages or foods, nor should they be stored in used drinking bottles or food containers.
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Living Room Hazards
Furniture and Accessories
Children tend to use furniture to gain footing when they are learning to stand and to walk. For this reason, the following measures should be considered:
- Pieces of furniture should be solid so that they do not topple over easily when the child holds on to it.
- Corners and edges should be smooth and round-ended, otherwise, fit them with edge protectors to prevent injury.
- Move all pieces of furniture against the wall to create free space, allowing them to roam freely.
- Do not use huge draperies and secure long cords. Keep draperies and their cords short to prevent children from hiding behind them or getting strangled.
- Remove small objects like coins and jewelries, from the top of furniture which may be within reach of a child since a child tends to eat whatever they get their hands on.
Plugs and Sockets
Children learn about things by exploring them with their hands. They are bound to touch whatever they see, probe into holes and investigate unusual objects. Electrical outlets are no exception to this great curiosity and they are very dangerous too.
- Cover unused electrical outlets with dummy plates or plugs to keep the child from probing into them.
- Use flat, tapered plugs that are difficult to pull out.
- Hide or shorten electrical cords to prevent the child from tugging onto them or placing them around their necks.
Doors, Stairs, and Windows
Children love to peep out of windows. However, they may fall over, hurting themselves in the process. Be cautious especially if you live in high rise buildings. Prevent this accident by placing pieces of furniture away from unguarded windows. An open window is an invitation to a child to climb on and lean out to see the world. If you have window grills, ensure that they are always locked if you cannot keep an eye on your child while playing. Curiosity also makes the child wander outdoors. The danger from falling down the stairs, being run over by vehicles, and simply getting lost, are reasons for installing gates. Otherwise, keep the doors locked. Ward off potential “gate crashers” by installing child proof locks. Ensure that banisters are guarded – spaces underneath the banisters must be narrow enough to keep children from getting trapped in between, or falling through them. As early as possible, train your child the correct way of climbing up and down the stairs. Encourage him to use the hand rails, and discourage them from playing on the steps.
Toys
Toys are made for children to enjoy. However, toys that are not suited to their age are potentially dangerous. Read toy labels and packaging for information about the age group for which they are made. When choosing toys, keep the following in mind:
- Large stuffed-toys are not suitable for children under one year of age as they may suffocate the child.
- Small toys and accessories that are two inches in diameter or smaller are dangerous because they can easily be placed in the mouth and cause choking.
- Simple toys that are whole and without small detachable parts are ideal for younger children.
- Toys should not have sharp or rough edges for they can cut or scrape.
Walkers
Walkers used to be a common accessory for a child just learning to walk. It curbs the child’s frustration when attempting a step and helps him keep his balance. But walker-related accidents have led to serious injuries like children falling from stairs while on walkers. Some walkers are also too light so that children easily tip over causing bumps, bruises and fractures. Related: Bruises, Fractures and Dislocation Children are better off learning to walk without the help of the walker. It would be wise to do away with the walker, but if you really need to use one, be sure to keep a close watch over a child using a walker.
Bathroom Hazards
The bathroom is a dangerous place for children to be left on their own. They may drown in a few inches of water or slip and injure themselves on the wet floor. Here are some tips for bathroom safety:
- Never leave the child alone in the bathroom. Take them with you if you need to answer the phone or the door.
- Empty pails and bathtubs when not in use. If you need to store water, keep the lid securely locked.
- Return the soap to the soap dish after use. Train the child to do this as well.
- Keep the bathroom floor dry as much as possible.
- Keep the bathroom door closed to keep children from straying inside.
As early as possible, train the child on good bathroom habits. It will not only be hygienic but will keep him safe as well.
Outdoor Hazards
Playground/Garden
Outside the home, each parent encounters new challenges in keeping his child safe. The child faces a new dimension concerning bumps, bruises and falling. Swings are fun to ride on. But in his eagerness to get on or off, a child may fall off the seat and hurt himself. Place about ten inches of sand under the swing to cushion and prevent a hard fall. Sometimes the child may be hit by a returning swing seat when he is not paying attention. The impact may cause a head injury and a nasty gash. Toddlers are often hit by the swing in the area of the mouth. This may also cause a bump to the front teeth. Check if this has caused any fracture to the front teeth. If it has, have a dentist check on the child. To minimize these injuries, place rubber protectors on the seat corners. Check wooden seats regularly for cracks, rots or splinters, and tighten any loose bolts or nuts. Doing so will prevent the child’s clothes from getting caught in them. Ensure that the chain and S-links are closed to prevent the seat from falling apart during play. Children should be warned against the danger of climbing trees. If need be, they can be taught the correct ways of climbing trees when they are old enough.
Poisonous Plants
Certain plants contain poisons that may cause a range of effects from mild skin irritations to breathing difficulties. Related: Allergies Alert the child to any poisonous plants around the house to keep him from touching it. Remind him not to eat or even handle any plant which is unfamiliar to him. You will never be able to shield your child completely from danger if you want to raise him in a normal environment. But you can prevent potential dangers through incidental teaching, and correcting him when he breaks the rules. Older children should be taught ways of calling for help when accidents occur. To aid them, post emergency telephone number by the phone where they can be easily seen.
