Keeping kids safe
Home is where children grow, learn and find comfort, love and care. This is also a place where they need to feel safe. Below are vital home safety tips for kids.
Install a smoke and heat sensor
From statistics, nearly two thirds of fire that kill children below the age of five occur in homes that do not have a fire alarm system. In the event of a fire breakout, you only have seconds to escape the smoke, heat and deadly gases. You can increase your chances of survival by installing and maintain smoke alarms and following these procedures. These alarms should be installed in all levels of the home and test them once a month and change their batteries every year. You should also ensure that your children are familiar with the sound of the alarm. Come up with a fire escape plan and then discuss it with your family and include your young children as well.
Use Carbon Monoxide Sensors
Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that is a danger to families with kids. Burning fuel creates this gas. If fireplaces, central heating, water heaters or furnaces are not well ventilated and they leak, the gases can escape. Have a carbon monoxide detector along with your fire detector and ensure it is well maintained so that your home will be safe.
Block Stairs for infants and toddlers
Accidental fall is one of the most common types of injuries to kids. Taking a few precautions will help avoid serious problems. The severity of the injury will depend on the distance of the fall. You should therefore beware of dangers of heights. Do not allow your children to sit on a bed or counter top unattended. Hallways and stairs should be clear and free of clutter so that your child does not trip and tumble. Have safety gates for the toddler not to have access to the stair case.
Door and Window Sensors
Securing the doors and windows with some kind of alarm and siren enabled device is a good step to take to keeping children safe at home. Placing contact sensors on doors and windows could trigger an alarm from the security system if a burglar or intruder tries to make it into the property. With new technology out there, parents and guardians can also receive alerts to their computers and cell phones. these notification features give parents added peace of mind if the kids are home alone for any amount of time during the summer break.
Use Security Camera Systems
Some parents use the cameras in the house and some use them in the outside the property. Â Being able to access video footage remotely can also give parent the added peace of mind they need to ensure that their kids are actually safe. A few companies like Dropcam are providing very user friendly cameras that provide real time video footage.
Knowing the Causes of Injury to Kids
Most injuries to older kids and preschool children also result from falling out of uncensored windows. In order to avoid such injuries, keep windows locked and their screens in place. A young child can easily squeeze themselves through a window that is opened as little as five inches. Screens are not strong enough to keep children inside. Discourage them from playing near windows and patio doors which could lead to a fall through the glass. Do not display or store anything that a child could climb near a window. Your child should also not wander out of the front door. Make sure it is always locked.
Emergency Preparedness
Be prepared for an emergency. No matter how well your childproof your home or try to prevent accidents from occurring, one of the best things you can do is to get ready for an emergency. To keep your children safe, it is vital to use security companies that offer twenty four hours security monitoring in the event of a break in. You also need to learn how to administer CPR and also have a first aid kit that has emergency instructions. Have important numbers written down where your children can see so that in case there is an accident in the house and you are not around, they can easily dial the number and call for help.
