With all the child safety gadgets and items that can be purchased, many parents think they have taken every precaution to ensure their children's safety. Expectant parents place outlet covers over electrical outlets, place safety gates at stairways, and install locks on cupboards. Some even purchase locks for the refrigerator and toilets. These products are great and certainly serve a purpose, but they are not enough to ensure that your child is completely safe inside your home. When you install safety devices, make certain that your child cannot see you. Kids learn quickly and could possibly learn to open cupboards and remove outlet covers just as quickly as you install them. TV stands, dressers, and shelves can also be quite dangerous for children. Climbing on shelves and dressers can cause these items to fall and trap or crush the child underneath. Secure these items to the wall or remove them completely if there are any doubts as to whether or not they could possibly tip over. Bathrooms are a dangerous place for small children. Water standing in bathtubs and toilets can seem like great places to float a toy boat. If your children can drop objects into the water, they will try and get them out. Drownings have occurred due to a child reaching into a toilet to retrieve a toy and falling in head first, unable to get out. Family pets are another concern. Even the most well-mannered, child-loving pet can become irritated by a small child and bite or attack. Never leave your children alone with pets. Small children often will not recognize the signs of anger that a pet will display before biting and your pet will only take so much 'attention' before it will growl or bite. Playing outside can be dangerous if the children are unsupervised. Fertilizer granules left in the grass, insects, and sharp objects can cause serious injury or illness. No matter how many safety precautions you have taken in your yard, never let your children play alone while outdoors. Adult items such as toiletries, perfume or cologne, alcoholic beverages, and many other products can be harmful to children and should be placed well out of your child's reach at all times. Keep the numbers of poison control centers, doctors, and hospitals close at hand so that if your child accidentally comes in contact with dangerous items, you can call for help immediately. The best way to keep your children safe is to always supervise them, whether they are in the home or outside. Accidents that happen in seconds can affect your life forever. |
