We all remember that the basics of safety are first learned at school. Look both ways before crossing a road, don’t touch electrical appliances and many more. But have you done everything you can to ensure that your home is safe for your children?

Infants love to explore the world around them. From the time your child starts crawling or walking, the world becomes a jungle fraught with danger. Everything ranging from electric sockets to glass ware is a new discovery as far as your child is concerned. They are tempted to test it with their mouths and hands. The consequences can be disastrous.

Electric sockets pose a grave threat to children of all ages. Make sure that all electric sockets in your home are covered. Check the electrical cords connected to your appliances. If they are worn out or frayed, replace them.

Keep matches, lighters, broken shards of glass and knives away from the reach of your children. Similarly, medicines, detergents, floor and bathroom cleaners should be kept in places where children cannot reach them. If possible, keep them locked in a cabinet.

Never leave your children unsupervised near water. Every day we hear news of children drowning in bath tubs because the adults they were with left them unsupervised for some time. The same applies with fire. Never let children approach the stove or play with lighters. If you have a cook out or barbecue, make sure that children stay away from the grill.

If your home has a staircase or large windows, install a bar so that children don’t fall down.

Firearms are dangerous in the hands of adults even more so in children’s hands. It is alright to have firearms with you if it is intended for self defence, but keep them away from the reach of your children. It would be best not to even let your children know that you have arms at home. They may be tempted to try it out with potentially fatal consequences.

Teach the basics of first aid to your children so that they are prepared to handle any emergency that may arise.

If you have indoor plants at home make sure that they are not poisonous. Children love to reach out for brightly colored flowers and leaves. Therefore it is best to refrain from keeping poisonous plants at home.

If your children are old enough, teach them the basics of fire safety. Make sure that your home is equipped with a fire extinguisher and that at least one child knows how to use it. Install smoke detectors in your house and ensure that they are clean and in working condition.

Your child’s toy may be a source of great joy as far as your child is concerned, but it can also spell disaster if it does not conform to safety standards. Make sure that your children’s toys do not have removable parts which can be swallowed. Also ensure that toys which are broken do not have sharp edges which can cause cuts. Infants especially put toys into their mouths so keep toys clean and disinfected. Buy branded toys for infants since some paints used in cheap toys can be toxic.

Things we use in everyday life can be life threatening for our children. Keep your eyes open to the potential dangers in your home and take needful measures so that your house is not a minefield but a safe haven for your child.

Jason Ladock

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