How to Protect Children From Dangers at Home
Parents and guardians can prevent accidents by taking certain precautions
WASHINGTON, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Most people think of home as one of the safest places for children, but it can also be one of the most dangerous ones.
Most families have a plan for major catastrophes, but there are also many potential dangers at home which are easier to overlook, including burns, drowning, and accidental poisoning. Below you'll find information to help your younger family members avoid accidents and make your home a safer place for everyone.
How to Prevent Poisonings
Poisonings are dangerous but preventable. According to the CDC, two children die each day as a result of poison-related accidents.
It's important to know that personal hygiene items like cosmetics, cleaning liquids and pain medication can be poisonous to children. Adults should always keep an eye on these products and make sure they are stored carefully.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has several tips that can help you prevent poisonings at home:
- Store chemicals and cleaning products beyond the reach of children
- Make sure you properly close containers even if left unattended for a few moments
- Don't transfer chemicals and liquids to containers that are not properly labeled
- Always read the labels of potentially dangerous products before using them
In the event of an accident call 1-800-222-1222 to be connected to your local poison control center or visit PoisonHelp.hrsa.gov.
How to Prevent Burns
Burns are also a leading cause of injuries for children at home. In fact, every day there are about 435 children who visit emergency rooms because of burns. On average, two of these children die from their injuries.
You can prevent burns by taking the following precautions:
- Don't leave pots and pans unattended when cooking
- Don't allow young children to cook unsupervised or play in the kitchen
- Regulate your water heater to 120 degrees F to avoid accidental burns when children take a shower or bath
- Have an escape plan that your children know and can follow in the event of a fire
- Make sure your fire detectors or fire alarms are working properly
How to Prevent Drowning
Pools are not the only place where children are at risk of drowning at home. In fact, children also run the risk of drowning in bathtubs, basins, and medium-size water containers, like buckets.
Keep your children safe from drowning by supervising them at all times, this includes:
- Strictly supervising young children during bath time and making sure older children who may be helping are informed of risks
- Keeping any containers with water out of the reach of small children
- Learning how to do CPR
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SOURCE GobiernoUSA.gov/USA.gov
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