Most American children live healthy lives. Car seats, safe cribs, and strollers are one of many things to keep your child safe in and near the home. Yet, you must still take care and precaution. All parents and caregivers should calmly explain the various risks to their children as well as how they can stay safe.
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Teach your child about poisons that may be in the home, or outside the home in the yard. Your child should know about not eating berries or leaves from unknown plants. Remember, almost any substance, if eaten in large enough amounts, can be harmful or poisonous.
Only buy toys that say non-toxic on the label.
In the home:
If you suspect poisoning or have questions, call the National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222).
Always keep one hand on an infant who is lying on a changing table.
Place gates at the top and bottom of each stairway they may approach. Gates that screw into the wall are best. Follow all manufacturer safety instructions.
Teach your child how to climb up the stairs. When they are ready to climb down, show them how to go down steps backwards on their hands and knees. Show toddlers how to walk down steps one step at a time, holding on to a hand, handrail, or the wall.
Injury due to falls from windows can occur from even a first or second story window as well as from a high-rise. Follow these simple suggestions:
Some tips for avoiding falls from bunk beds include:
Keep guns locked up and unloaded. Firearms and ammunition should be stored separately.
Teach children the difference between guns and other weapons they see on TV, movies, or video games and real guns. They should understand that a gunshot can permanently injure or kill someone.
Never claim you have a gun with you just as a prank or threaten that you are going to shoot someone.
All children should know never to play with a real gun and certainly never to point a gun at anyone, even as a joke. If someone offers to show you a gun, say no and leave right away.
All parents and caregivers should teach the children what to do when they come across a gun:
Choking risks to watch out for include:
Window cords are also a danger for choking or strangulation. If possible, avoid window coverings that have cords that hang down. If they are present:
When cooking on the stove, make sure that pot and pan handles are turned to the middle of the stove. A curious toddler can may be able to reach handles that hang over the edge of the stove.
Keep children away from hot drinks and stove tops.
When heating a baby bottle, always test the milk temperature to prevent burning your baby's mouth.
See also: Fire safety at home
Inspect playground equipment for signs of deterioration, weakness, and damage. Watch and observe your child around the playground, and be careful about where they wander.
Teach children what to do if strangers approach them. Teach them at an early age that no one should touch private areas of the body, and teach them to call 911 when in trouble. Supervise young children at all times. Make sure children know their address as early as possible.
Teach children to watch for cars on streets. They must stop, look both ways, and listen for approaching traffic.
Important tips for backyard safety include:
Shephard E, Quan L. Drowing and submersion injury. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 67.
Safety and prevention. At Home. healthychildren website from American Academy of Pediatrics.
Eddie Eagle Information for Parents. The National Rifle Association.
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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