National Child Injury Prevention Week

!±8± National Child Injury Prevention Week

September 1st - 7th is National Child Injury Prevention Week. Parents always keep the well-being of their children as a top priority, but this event offers a great opportunity to really focus on home safety tips for kids.

Children spend a large amount of time at home, and it can be easy to take for granted that they are safe around the house. It is, however, essential to be aware of potential danger zones and take every step possible to make your home 'kid friendly'. Here are a few tips to help your loved ones avoid injury.

Child Proofing Your Home

Kids are naturally curious, and as soon as they are old enough to crawl they will start to explore their environment. Once your kids are moving on their own, it's important to be aware of the obstacles and dangers they may encounter. Many experts recommend that parents go for their own crawl around the house to get a better perspective of these potential hazards. There are several things to watch for, including:

o   Small items that could be choking hazards
o   Uncovered electrical outlets
o   Sharp corners on tables and other furniture
o   Long cords that a child could get tangled up in
o   Areas that need a safety gate, like in front of stairs or rooms a child shouldn't enter
o   Any dangerous item (knives, glass objects, etc.) within a child's reach

Kitchen Safety

Kids enjoy spending time in the kitchen while a parent cooks, but it is a room that can hold many dangers if you don't prepare. Keep a close eye on children while they are in the kitchen, and use these tips to help protect them:

o   Turn the handles of pots and pans away from the counter so children can't grab and pull them down
o   Keep all poisons out of reach and in child-proof containers
o   Don't store sharp utensils where children can reach them
o   Put child proof latches on every cabinet
o   Store alcohol on shelves in tall cabinets, and keep them securely latched

Water Safety

For families with small children, water safety is a major concern. Statistics show that drowning is one of the leading causes of death among kids in the United States. If you own a pool, put a child safety fence around it and keep it locked at all times. Don't leave toys near the pool; they encourage children to look for a way to climb over the fence. If possible, invest in a pool cover. It will provide an extra level of security, and keep the water warmer.

Water safety isn't just about pools - a drowning can occur in a very small amount of liquid. Every year children drown in bathtubs, toilets and other water-filled objects. Keep your bathroom door latched and never leave a child unattended around water for any amount of time.

Fire Safety

A house fire is one of the most tragic and potentially deadly events a family can endure, so it is essential to be prepared. Start by purchasing smoke alarms and remember to replace the batteries once a year so they are always fresh. Next you can pick up a few fire extinguishers and place them in as many rooms as possible. Finally, come up with several escape routes in case a fire breaks out. Rehearse a fire safety drill in which the entire family practices using these routes so they are ready to get away quickly during an emergency.

Child safety is a major issue for every parent. It's a topic to focus on daily, and something we can examine in even greater detail this September 1st - 7th as we recognize National Child Injury Prevention Week. Please visit the PeopleFinders.com People Search blog.