Child Safety-Keeping Your Grandchildren Safe

Child safety is one of the most important topics when it comes to children. Accidents can happen anytime but summertime can be especially dangerous.

Kids are out of school and have more time to roam and find things to get into. And speaking of things to “get into” remember that children don’t realize the danger of crawling into things they can’t get out of.

Every summer you hear of children who are left in cars during the hot weather. They also have been known to crawl into old refrigerators and even plastic totes or containers like you store Christmas directions in.

Children (and grandchildren) are curious by nature and can think up a lot of ways to get hurt. It’s up to the adults to stay one step ahead of them and to kid-proof our homes as much as possible.

What follows is a list of the top ten ways children get hurt.  Use the list to identify potential dangers inside your home or in your yard or vehicle.

1. Car Passengers – children not using restraints are five times more likely to be killed or injured.
   • Every child should be in a child restraint on every trip
   • Child restraints must be properly fitted and used
   • I’ll be the first to admit that I HATE car seats because they are hard to get in and out of cars and usually difficult to snap shut, but I use them every day because I know my grandchildren aren’t safe without them. Even if you don’t like them….use them!
2. Pedestrians – children need time to develop a road sense and to learn and obey road rules. Children under 8 are at the greatest risk.
   • Provide a safe place for your child to play away from the roadside and traffic.
   • Keep teaching them about road safety behavior so they don’t forget.
   • Our daughter crossed a parking lot to get to my car and almost got run over when she was a child. I hit the horn on my vehicle so hard the cover flew off. It was a nightmare moment I will never forget.
3. Poisoning – poison presents common safety hazards for young children.
   • Medicines, household cleaners and products must be kept out of sight and out of reach preferably in a child-restraint cupboard or under lock and key.
4. House fires – the major risk is that a baby or child may be overcome by smoke.
   • Install smoke alarms
   • Have a safety schedule – check the batteries in smoke alarms weekly
   • Talk to your child about what to do in the case of a fire and rehearse your escape plan.
5. Falls – the single largest cause of child injury
   • Install safety rails or guards for steps, stairs and balconies
   • Put ‘soft’ fall material under play equipment
   • Supervise your baby or child when using baby furniture
6. Drowning – the single biggest danger to children under 5 years of age
   • Fence around pools and spas and check safety gates regularly
   • Stay with young children when they are in the bath and during other kids activities around water
   • It’s tempting to run and answer the phone or let the dog out but don’t leave them unattended!
7. Nursery Furniture – baby furniture is a common cause of injury to children under two – especially from falls.
   • Buy products safe for kids that are sturdy and well made.
8. Dog bites – Each day 2 or 3 children are taken to hospital because of dog bites. Around 75% of these are bitten by a family or friend’s dog.
   • Talk to your children about the dangers of petting dogs unfamiliar to them
9. Scalds – a major cause of long term damage to children. Keep cups of hot drinks well out of reach
   • Hot water from the tap can scald in seconds. Always check bathwater before letting a child get in the tub.
10. Bikes, inline skates & skateboards – most injuries from boards or bikes result from falls
    • Helmets reduce the risk of brain injury by 90%
    • Teach children how to ride and to stop and start safely. Show them safe places where they can practice and set rules for where they can ride and skate

Let’s keep our children and grandchildren safe, happy and healthy!