Avoiding Accidents in the Home

Young children spend the majority of the first years of their lives in their home, as a result this is also where the majority of accidents to young people occur.
Here are some tips to keep kids safe in the home. Children should never be left alone in the house.

Young children should not be left alone in a room where there are dangers such as mechanical appliances, fires, or heaters.
All fires should have secured guards, which prevent the children from coming within reach.

Children's clothing should be non-inflammable, and they should wear pyjamas rather than nightdresses as these are more tight fitting and less likely to brush against an open flame. Saucepans on stoves should have the handle turned away from the room. Kettles and teapots should not be left near the edge of the table or within reach of young children.
Ensure that any power cords are also kept out of kids reach, as they can pull boiling kettles on top of them.

Anything which is dangerous must be kept out of reach of small children at all times; for example, matches, scissors and knives, plastic bags and cleaning fluids.
Medicines and tablets should be locked in a cupboard out of reach.

No poisonous fluids should be put into lemonade or milk bottles, as these can easily be mistaken for drinkable fluids by young kids.
A playpen helps to keep a small child safe, there should be plenty of toys to distract them from playing with dangerous things.

Toys for small children should be large, and not have small detachable parts which they can put in their mouths.
They should also be guaranteed a safe from other dangers such as poisonous lead paint. It is a good idea to place bars on the upper floor windows if they are easily opened, and there should also be a gate at the top of the stairs while children are young.

As soon as they are old enough to understand, children should be taught to avoid dangers.

For example, they can be taught not to eat poisonous berries in the garden, and not to touch things such as matches and scissors.