Key Safety Strategies if You Have a Toddler in the Home
Accidents in the home are the main cause of death among kids in the US. Toddlers particularly like to learn everything possible about the world around them with their recently acquired freedom of movement. Sometimes, though, their inquiring natures cause them some difficulties.
Most of their injuries, however, can be avoided with ease. All you have to do is implement a number of easy precautions. If you want to keep your child from injury, follow these toddler safety strategies for your peace of mind.
Around the House
* Any pieces of furniture that can tip over without much effort, such as a bookcase, need to be fastened to the wall with brackets.
* Doorknob covers are required for any room that you don’t want your toddler to go in, for safety reasons or otherwise. Furthermore, she will not have the ability to get away from the home when you are not watching.
* If you have blinds on your windows, make sure the cords aren’t looped. If they’re, hang them out of reach. Young kids have been known to strangle in them.
* Always use shielding covers on your electrical outlets. This will keep out prying fingers and small items that can lead to electrocution.
In the Kitchen
Be sure to put in safety latches on all your kitchen cabinets and drawers. Your child won’t be able to get at the cleaning products, most of which are poisonous if ingested. As well, they will not be able to get hold of sharp objects like knives or scissors from the drawers.
Use the back burners on the oven when you’re cooking. Keep the handles of your pots and pans turned in so that they’re out of reach of your toddler. When you’re using the oven, block off access to it to avoid accidental burns.
Bathroom Safety
Just like in the kitchen, drawers and cabinets in the bathroom need childproof latches. Make sure that cleaning products and medicinal products are locked up safe from your little one’s grasp. As soon as you’re done with them, unplug appliances like your curling iron or electric shaver. Put them somewhere where your child cannot access them.
A toilet latch is critical in order to keep the lid closed. Young children have a higher center of gravity and can fall into a toilet without much effort if they lean in to play in it. It takes less than an inch of water for a small child to drown. So it is critical to watch them in the bathroom always.
Take an objective look at your house to spot any other likely sources of danger. See to them straight away. With these safety measures and some common sense, raising toddlers can be easy and enjoyable.
Important changes take place around the time your child turns one year old. This is usually the turning point in the development of an infant to a toddler. Learn more about raising toddlers at The Toddler Website.