HOME SAFETY FOR MOMS & KIDS
Ryan Cabuang, Jiaqi Fan, Li Chieh Lee, Megumi Neth, Daniel O’Kelly, and Ciani Palencia California State University, San Marcos School of Nursing Community-Oriented Nursing Practice Nursing 440 Dr. Susan Andera
Introduction • Introduction to Home Safety •
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Home Hazards - Common Safety Hazards in the Household •
Electrical safety (outlets, appliances, etc.)
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Fire safety (sources of heat such as stoves and heaters)
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Pool/Water safety (accidental drownings)
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Household chemicals
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Over-the-counter (OTC) & prescription medications
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Choking hazards (food, small objects, toys, plastic bags)
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Nursery safety
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Pet safety
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Environmental
Tips for a safer home/ maintaining safety
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Introduction to Home Safety Maintaining a safe environment for newborns, toddlers, and children takes a lot of time and effort; so much that companies are available to come to one’s house to do a full assessment and baby-proof the home. Because babies develop at a rapid pace, their safety risks increase as they get older. New parents need to anticipate their child’s safety risks in order to avoid serious injury. It was reported that in 2010, unintentional injuries accounted for 32.4% of deaths in children aged one to nine years (Hack, 2014). It is with this statistic that shows that parents need to address the growing concern of safety in the home.
Home Hazards Common Safety Hazards in the Household •
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Electrical safety (outlets, appliances, etc.) Fire safety (sources of heat such as stoves and heaters)
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Pool safety (accidental drownings)
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Household chemicals
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Over-the-counter (OTC) & prescription medications
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Choking hazards (food, small objects, toys, plastic bags)
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Nursery safety
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Pet safety
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Environmental
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Electrical Safety Electrical safety covers a broad range of safety hazards. For instance, this includes any type of appliance or technology that needs electricity as well as the sources of power for these objects. Every house may not have the same appliances or technology, but every house has electrical outlets, which serves as one of the most dangerous aspects of electrical safety. It is important to keep in mind that children are becoming more dependent on technology, so awareness needs to be increased as well. Tips for maintaining safety •
All unused outlets are covered with plastic safety plugs, which can be bought at any department store
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All major electrical appliances are grounded
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Keep longer cords fastened against walls to prevent falls
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Televisions, computers, and stereo equipment are positioned against walls
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Incorporating the use of surge protectors for multiple electronic devices - this allows one to turn off all items that are plugged in all at once
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Devices that require electricity from an outlet are unplugged when not in use (KidsHealth from Nemours, n.d.).
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Fire Safety In most cases, families have two minutes or less to escape from a house fire. House fires can be a result of the other home hazards (electrical, heating, and household chemicals) but can also be due to human error (KidsHealth from Nemours, n.d.). Tips for maintaining safety • Make an escape plan and practice twice a year; have a plan for each room as well as a designated safe area to meet up • Know the difference between smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms • Check all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms monthly and change batteries twice a year • Teach ALL family members (especially children) what alarms look and sound like • Never leave kitchen when cooking with an open flame, which includes frying, boiling, baking and/or roasting (simply put: on the stove stay in the kitchen, in the oven stay in the home) • During actual fire, never open doors or turn handles that are warm to touch; feel the doors with the back of your hands to avoid injury • Only use fire extinguishers after training and only attempt on small contained fires; use the PASS method (PULL the pin, AIM at the base of the fire, SQUEEZE the trigger, and SWEEPing motion towards the flames • Remember TRAINED and CONTAINED for extinguisher use; never use in smoke-filled room • Crawl beneath smoke and fumes; stay low to the ground • Once out, GET OUT STAY OUT & CALL 911! • Get medical attention and meet family at pre=established location in escape plan (Home fires, 2016).
Fire Safety - Heating Tips for maintaining safety •
All radiators and baseboard heaters covered with childproof screens
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Gas fireplaces are secured with a valve cover or key
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All working fireplaces have a screen and other barriers in place when in use
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All chimneys are cleaned on a regular basis
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All electric space heaters are at least three feet (ninety one centimeters) from beds, curtains, or anything flammable
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Placing a list of emergency phone numbers near each phone in your home
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Fire extinguishers installed on every floor and in the kitchen
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Installation of a carbon monoxide detectors in the home in addition to functioning smoke detectors
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Pool/Water Safety
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under fourteen. Specifically, about one in five people who drown are children fourteen and younger. For every child who drowns, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries. In addition, near drowning could cause brain damage if not resuscitated in a timely manner. Tips for maintaining safety • Install a fence around the pool; keep pool areas gated at least four feet and covered when not in use (make sure that the gates are not used to climb up and access the pool; also make sure that the gates are latched and self-closing) • Install door alarms that lead to pool areas •
Never leave children unattended around a pool, even if it is covered; direct supervision is always required
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Teach kids pool safety rules using a water safety course
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Teach kids how to swim and involve them in community programs that reinforces learning
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Become CPR/basic life support-certified
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Never leave children unattended in a bathtub; also never leave standing water in a tub or sink as even the smallest amount could cause drowning
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When children are missing, check the pool first as time is a priority with life-saving measures (Pool Safely, n.d.)
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Household Chemicals
Household chemicals are EVERYWHERE in our homes. Unfortunately, the places that we store these chemicals are places that are easily accessible to infants and children: underneath kitchen sinks, cabinets, etc. Unfortunately, children see the colorful lettering and cartoon characters and can mistake these items for their fruit juices. Keeping these items out of reach and locked up is the best prevention, among others. Tips for maintaining safety • • • • • •
Always read the label before using a product that may be poisonous Always keep household cleaning products in original bottle; do not use the same containers for food to store these products Never mix chemicals together as the mixture may induce a chemical reaction Allow adequate ventilation when using cleaning products Have poison help number near every phone; also keep the poison control center information on hand Store chemicals up and away out of sight in a cabinet where a child cannot reach them; install safety latches on cabinets Source: http://poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/assets/images/site/branding_lo go.gif
Source: http://www.lowes.com/images/Child_S afety_Latches.jpg
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015)
Over-the-counter (OTC) and Prescription Medications The problem with prescription medications is that children mistake them for treats. The bright colors and shapes remind them of their favorite candy or cereals with marshmallows. In fact, non-prescription medications and vitamins also pose a risk; the iron-containing vitamins or supplements have been a source of accidental poisoning deaths in children under three. Children do not know any better and it is up to parents to understand the proper storage techniques and tips to prevent accidental medication overdose. Tips for maintaining safety • Read the label each time to ensure that the child is getting the proper amount/prescribed amount as ordered • Know the abbreviations such as tbsp, tsp, ml, mg, or oz • Use the correct dosing device; do not substitute with kitchen spoons • When giving multiple medications together, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professionals to avoid medication interactions and adverse reactions • Always use the child-resistant caps to avoid accidental consumption • Follow the "KEEP OUT OF REACH" warning; keep all the medicine out of sight to prevent overdose; place OTC and prescriptions medications in locked cabinets or out of the reach and sight of children (United States Food and Drug Administration, 2013)
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Choking Hazards Choking hazards can come in various forms: toys, foods, and even small packaging from everyday items. Items include: • Coins • Buttons • Toys with small parts • Toys that can fit entirely in a child’s mouth • Small balls/marbles • Balloons • Small hair bows, barrettes, and rubber bands • Pen or marker caps • Small button-type batteries • Refrigerator magnets • Pieces of dog food
Foods include: • Hot dogs • Nuts and seeds • Chunks of meat or cheese • Whole grapes • Hard or sticky candy • Popcorn • Chunks of peanut butter • Chunks of raw vegetables • Chewing gum
Tips for maintaining safety Gold standard is “Keep choking hazards away from small children” and “Pay attention”. • Check under furniture and between cushions. (HealthyChildren.org, 2015) • Never leave a small child unattended while eating. • Children should sit up straight when eating • Children should have a calm, unhurried meal and snack time. • Children should not eat when walking, riding in a car or playing. • Cut foods into small pieces, removing seeds and pits. • Cook or steam vegetables to soften their texture. • Think of shape, size, consistency and combinations of these when choosing foods. (New York State Department of Health, 2010).
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Nursery Safety Most parents prepare the nursery well in advance prior to bringing a baby home. However, it is important to note that the nursery, even though planned ahead of time, needs to be constantly assessed for home hazards, especially as the child gets older. Tips for maintaining safety • Assemble the cribs and pack-and-play according to manufacturer's directions; do not make any modifications • Ensure that the baby is sleeping on his/her back; BACK TO SLEEP • Make sure the crib is away from any appliances with a cord; make sure lighting or electrical devices are out of reach • Make sure changing tables and against a wall and has a protective strap in place; make sure not to leave the child unattended on the table • Ensure that closets are free of metal hangers or plastic bags • Secure additional furniture in the room with mounting brackets to keep them in place (Baby Home Safety, n.d.)
Pet Safety Introducing pets to a child is a process that should not be rushed. Some breeds are passive but others can be naturally aggressive and territorial. It is important to remember that dogs can be domesticated, but also are still considered animals and have natural instincts. Dogs are one of the most common household pets and their friendliness and loyalty can be a gift and a curse. Tips for maintaining safety • Dogs should be properly trained; ensure the dog understands basic commands, such as no, sit, lies down and will not jump up • Introduction to the child should be slow; bring the dog worn clothes of the baby and allow the dog to sniff • Ideally dogs should not be allowed in the baby’s room • NEVER LEAVE THE DOG ALONE WITH THE BABY • Ensure that the dog is safe to be around the baby; some breeds may cause allergic reactions to some children
(Dog Trust, 2013)
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Environmental One of the scariest feelings for parents is a child falling, whether that is from an uneven surface or from the top of the stairs. Environmental hazards are almost an afterthought until something serious happens to a child. Tips for maintaining safety • Use a child-proof gate at the top and bottom of stairs in order to keep children from climbing/falling • Keep floors free of clutter at all times • Pad the sharp edges of tables • Avoid furniture near windows or openings in the wall to prevent children from climbing on them • Avoid the use of extra floor rugs as this may cause children to trip due to the uneven surfaces (Baby Home Safety, n.d.)
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References Baby Home Safety. (n.d.). Baby home safety :: safety tips. Retrieved from http://www.babyhomesafety.net/safety_tips.htm#kit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Poisoning. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/poisoning/preventiontips.htm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016) Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention. Home and Recreational Safety: Water Related Injuries. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/water-safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html Dogs-Trust. (2013). A new baby and family dog. www.nct.org.uk. Retrieved from: https://www.nct.org.uk/sites/default/files/related_documents/Dogs%20Trust%20new20baby %20factsheet.pdg Hack, L. (Jan, 2014). Leading causes of death for children. Contemporary Pediatrics. Retrieved from: http://contemporarypediatrics.modernmedicine.com/contemporary-pediatrics/content/tags/causedeath/leading-causes-death-children HealthyChildren.org. (2015). Retrieved from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthissues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/Choking-Prevention.aspx
References(Cont.)
Home Fires. (2016). Retrieved May 12, 2016, from www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare for fire.
KidsHealth from Nemours. (n.d.). Electrical, heating & cooling: household safety checklist. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/household-checklist-heating.html New York State Department of Health. (2015). Retrieved from: https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/injury_prevention/choking_prevention_for_children.htm Pool Safely. (n.d.). Simple steps save lives | pool safely. Retrieved from http://www.poolsafely.gov/parentsfamilies/simple-steps-save-lives/ Science Daily. (2010). Choking is a leading cause of injury and death among children. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100226212559.htm United States Food and Drug Administration. (2013). Got a sick kid? Don’t guess. Read the label. Make sure you’re giving your children the right medicine and the right amount. Retrieved from: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/ucm133419.htm What to Expect.com (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.whattoexpect.com/family/seasonal-allergymedications-that-are-safe-for-kids.aspx