Child safety in the home

Around 2 million children are taken to accident and emergency every year because they’ve been hurt in accidents. 120,000 are admitted to hospital.

Falling down the stairs, getting burns or scalds or swallowing harmful substances are accidents that are still far too common in the home and can be avoided by taking a few simple steps to make the home a safer environment.
Seeing the world through your child’s eyes is a good way for you to be more aware of the possible danger points and make your home safer.  Once your baby is crawling and walking it is a good idea to get down on the floor and see what would be within their reach from their level.  You will be surprised at the mischief they could get up to.

Here are some simple but practical tips on how you can reduce the risks within your home and make it a safer environment.

Always keep anything hot out of your baby’s reach – things like hot drinks, kettles, pots and pans, hair straighteners.

Use the back rings of the cooker where possible and keep children away from oven doors.

When running a bath for your child, top up cold water with hot, and stay with them during bath time.  

Fit safety gates to your stairs and locks or catches to stop windows opening more than 6cm. 

If you use a change mat you must stay with your baby at all times.

Keep medicines and cleaning products out of sight and out of reach of your children – preferably in a locked cupboard.  Remember that ‘child resistant’ packaging makes it harder for a child to open – not impossible.

Fit and maintain a smoke alarm – ideally one on every level of your home – and test it regularly. Keep matches and lighters out of children’s sight and reach.

Cover plug sockets with safety plugs to stop little fingers for exploring them.

Written by Jo Arden
Jo.arden@iris-london.co.uk
www.safeathome.rospa.com

YOU COULD BE ENTITLED TO FREE CHILD HOME SAFETY EQUIPMENT

The government has committed to spend £18million, providing home safety equipment to those that need it most.

Families could be eligible for free home safety equipment, such as safety gates and fireguards, to help protect their children from accidents at home.
To find out more and see if you could get safety equipment for your home then visit www.safeathome.rospa.com