About 2.5 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year. Simple child safety devices on the market today can help prevent many of these accidents.
Here are some things to look for when buying a safety device for your home.
You can childproof your home for a fraction of what it would cost to have a professional do it. And safety devices are easy to find. You can buy them at the following places:
The following child safety devices can help prevent many injuries to young children.
Use safety latches and locks for cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas to help prevent poisonings and other injuries. Safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers can help prevent children from reaching household cleaners, as well as knives and other sharp objects.
Use safety gates to help prevent falls down stairs and to keep children away from dangerous areas.
Use door knob covers and door locks to prevent children from entering rooms and other areas with possible dangers, including pools. Sliding glass doors with built-in locks are often not effective barriers to pools.
Water coming from a tap can be hot enough to cause a serious burn. Take these steps to prevent injury.
Smoke detectors are essential safety devices for protection against fire injuries and deaths.
Use window guards and safety netting to help prevent falls from windows, balconies, decks, and landings. Window screens are not effective for preventing children from falling out of windows.
Use corner and edge bumpers to help prevent injuries and soften falls against sharp edges of furniture and fireplaces. Be sure to look for bumpers that stay securely on furniture or hearth edges.
Use outlet covers and outlet plates to help prevent electric shock and possible electrocution.
Use a carbon monoxide detector outside bedrooms to help prevent CO poisoning. You should use a CO detector if you have gas or oil heat or have an attached garage.
A window blind cord can create a dangerous situation for a small child. Here are ways to make the cords safer.
Use door stops and door holders to help prevent small fingers and hands from being pinched or crushed in doors and door hinges. Be sure any safety device for doors is easy to use and is not likely to break into small parts, which could be a choking hazard for young children.
Use a cordless phone to make it easier to continually watch young children, especially when they’re in bathtubs, swimming pools, or other potentially dangerous areas.
Resource:
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
http://www.cpsc.gov
Last reviewed January 2002 by EBSCO Publishing Editorial Staff
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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