Safety — Preventing Common Accidents
Your child’s safety is of the utmost importance. As your child grows, their curiosity will grow as well. All children need constant supervision to ensure their safety. Always check your child’s environment and take the time to remove possible dangers.
Here are a list of common accidents children can face:
- Choking
- Poisoning
- Drowning
- Strangulation
- Falls
- Burns, including sun burns
- Suffocation
- Car Accidents
Home Safety Checklist
- Unused electrical outlets are covered
- Stairs are guarded with gates at the top and bottom
- Stairs have handrails and railings with slats no more than 4 inches apart
- Floors and stairs are free of tripping hazards
- All potenital poisons [cleaners, polishes, lighter fluids, soaps, medicines, etc.] are locked in cabinets out of reach
- Knives and electrical appliances are stored out of reach
- Bath water is always tested for temperature before putting child in the tub, and the child is always supervised
- Electrical appliances are kept away from water
- Yard tools are kept out of reach and secured
- Pot handles are always turned away from the stove edge
- All walls, woodwork, and furniture are painted with lead-free paint
- Batteries in smoke detectors are charged
Safety List
- Never leave your child alone with small siblings or pets
- Never leave your child alone around water
- Never leave your child alone in a car
- Handle your child gently — little ones are fragile
- Fasten safety belts when putting your child in swings, seats, high-chairs, or changing tables
- Protect your child from falling off beds, stairs, or other high places
- Make sure to read the label and follow dosage instructions when giving medicine
- Keep small objects away from your child
- Make sure furniture is secure and your child is protected from sharp edges
- Remove anything that dangles from your child’s reach
- Make sure your child is protected from hot surfaces such as stoves, grills, or heaters
- Teach your child not to play in dangerous areas
- Teach your child the difference between friends, helpful people, and strangers
- Help your child learn to cross the street and walk safely through parking lots
- Have your child wear a helmet and other protective gear when riding a bicycle, scooter, or when skating. NC state law requires that children under age 16 wear a helmet when riding a bicycle
- Teach your child their name, phone number, address [including city/state], and parents full names in case you are separated
- Keep lighters and matches away from your child
- Teach your child to never pick and eat anything from a plant, no matter how good it looks, without your permission