3 minute read
Baby Proof Your home
YOUNG CHILDREN ARE VULNERABLE TO INJURIES AS THEY BEGIN TO EXPLORE THEIR ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO RECOGNISE DANGER OR TAKE ACTION TO KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE. MOST INJURIES SUFFERED BY CHILDREN OCCUR IN AND AROUND THE HOME.
While it may not be possible to make your home completely safe at all times, you can take steps to reduce the risk of injury and make your home a safer place for children. This handy checklist from Kidsafe SA will help you identify risks in your home.
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IN THE BATHROOM
Set the hot water to no more than 50°C Hot water from the tap at 60°C can burn a young child in less than a second! Contact a licensed plumber to help you safely lower the delivery temperature of water in your bathroom.
Ensure hair straighteners/curlers are unplugged and in a secured cupboard when not in use Hair straighteners can reach temperatures up to 200◦C causing an instant third degree burn to a child’s skin. Remember than even when turned off it can take a while for them to cool down to a safe temperature.
Store medicines, cleaning products and other harmful chemicals out of reach or in a locked cupboard If you think your child has ingested something, call the Poisons Information Line on 13 11 26.
Use a non slip bath mat
Keep the toilet lid down or invest in a toilet lid lock
Keep razors out of reach
in the KITCHEN
Store medicines, cleaning products and other harmful chemicals out of reach or in a locked cupboard If you think your child has ingested something, call the Poisons Information Line on 13 11 26.
Install cupboard/door/drawer locks where required
Use natural alternatives to chemical cleaning products
Store plastic bags out of reach
Lock vitamins and supplements away
in the NURSERY
Secure all curtain and blind cords up high and out of reach Curtain and blind cords have been known to be a strangulation risk for children. Cleats or tensioning devices can be purchased for securing cords up high and out of reach.
Ensure heavy furniture items (bookcases, chest of drawers) are secured to prevent toppling over onto young children Children have been killed by unstable and unsecured furniture and appliances toppling on top of them.
Only purchase nursery furniture products that are safe Not all nursery items are safe for use or have a mandatory safety standard on their manufacture. To find out more, visit www.accc.gov.au/publications/keeping-baby-safe-aguide-to-infant-and-nursery-products
Invest in a baby monitor
Be wary of second hand cradles/cots
Don't use pillows
in LIVING AREAS
Check that compartments on devices with button batteries are secured and can’t be accessed by children Do you store button batteries out of reach and dispose of them safely? If swallowed, button batteries can get stuck in a child’s throat and burn through the oesophagus in less than 2 hours. This burning can lead to serious injury requiring surgery, or death.
Secure all curtain and blind cords up high and out of reach Curtain and blind cords have been known to be a strangulation risk for children. Cleats or tensioning devices can be purchased for securing cords up high and out of reach.
Ensure heavy furniture items (large televisions, entertainment units) are secured to prevent toppling over onto young children Children have been killed by unstable and unsecured furniture and appliances toppling on top of them.
Consider carpeting/rugs to cushion falls
Safeguard sharp corners and edges
Check furniture stability
Use an approved stair gate
Install electrical outlet/door knob covers
in the YARD
Remove backyard drowning hazards e.g. uncovered ponds, pet’s water containers, buckets, tanks, troughs, dams etc. Young children can drown quickly and silently in as little as 5cm of water.
Ensure your swimming pool is fully enclosed by a compliant safety fence with a functioning self-closing, self-latching gate, and with nothing near the fence that could be used to climb on During 2016/17, 29 Australian children aged 0-4 years drowned. The majority of these incidents (45%) occurred in backyard swimming pools.
OUT and ABOUT
Learn how to safely use your baby sling or carrier Thereare many different types of slings and carriers for sale andnot all are safe to use with your baby. They can be dangerousif not used correctly or when the wrong size or type isused. For more information, visit www.kidsafesa.com.au/babyslings
