About this topic
Knowing how to stop accidents before they happen is very important. The best way to do this is to watch your child at all times. You also need to take steps to make sure your child is safe from harm. ‚
General
Street Safety ‚
- Teach your child how to cross the street safely. Have your child use crosswalks and look both ways before crossing the street.
- Teach your child to never run into the streets after balls or toys.
- Have your child wear a good-fitting helmet when riding a bike, skateboarding, or during other activities.
Car Safety ‚
- Use car seats until your child is too big to use them. Always put car seats in the back seat.
- Teach your child to always wear a seatbelt.
- Never let your child sit in the front seat.
- Lock your cars and keep the keys safe to keep your child from playing inside the car.
Drugs and Poison Safety ‚
- Give your child drugs only when told to by the doctor. Do not give your child more than what it says to take on the bottle label.
- Do not leave drugs out where children can get to them. Keep them in a locked cabinet.
- Do not keep drugs that you no longer need. Mix them with coffee grounds or kitty litter and throw them out.
- Teach your child that drugs are not candy. Try not to take drugs around them. Children like to copy what adults do.
- Read labels on household chemicals. Keep them in a safe place where children cannot get them.
- If you are using household chemicals, stay with them at all times. Do not leave chemicals out, even for a short time.
Water Safety ‚
- Do not leave your child in a bathtub alone.
- Watch closely when your child is swimming or when around a lake, beach, or pool.
- Make sure your pool has a locked gate or fence.
- Teach your child to stay away from water unless there is an adult there.
- Have your child wear a life jacket when on a boat.
Fire and Burn Safety ‚
- Keep matches and lighters away from your childs reach.
- Teach your child not to play with fire.
- Install smoke alarms in your house. Test them each month.
- Make sure your child knows what to do during a fire. Have a fire escape plan.
- When cooking, do not let your child go near the stove. Never leave your child alone with cooking food.
- Put hot food or liquid in the center of the table or counter. Do not put it near the edges.
- Check the temperature of the water before giving your child a bath.
Home Safety ‚
- Put stair gates at the top and bottom of the stairs.
- Keep windows locked and use window guards. Screens are not enough.
- Put covers on electrical outlets.
- Keep all cords out of reach. This includes electrical, curtain, or blind cords.
- Keep rooms, hallways, and stairs clutter free.
- Do not keep guns in the house. If you must, take the bullets out and keep guns in a locked safe.
Choking and Suffocation Safety ‚
- Make sure that your child sits up straight when eating.
- Do not give children 4 years old or younger food that may get stuck in the throat. This includes large cuts of meat, raw veggies, nuts, seeds, and grapes.
- Do not buy toys with small parts that your child may swallow. Only buy toys that are right for your child's age.
- Check toys often for loose or broken parts.
- Do not put soft blankets or toys in the crib while your child sleeps.
Will there be any other care needed?
- Learn how to do infant and child CPR.
- Prepare a first aid kit.
- Put emergency phone numbers near the phone and on the refrigerator door.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Call for emergency help right away if your child: ‚
- Swallows something harmful
- Is choking or having trouble breathing
- Falls out of a window or from a balcony or deck
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/family/parentabc/index.htm ‚
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/kids/home-safety/child-safety-keeping-your-home-safe-for-your-baby.html ‚
Safe Kids USA ‚
http://www.safekids.org/parents/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚