New Delhi, May 15 (IANS). Every parent dreams that their child should be healthy, safe and happy. But due to their curious nature, small children want to touch, put in mouth and explore everything. This curiosity is good for their development, but it also increases the risk of unintentional injury.
According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the leading causes of death and disability in children under five years of age worldwide are unintentional injuries, and most of these injuries occur indoors. Therefore, it is very important to make the house safe for children.
Making a home safe for children is not a one-time task. As children grow, the dangers also change. Therefore, keep checking the house from time to time. Look at the house from the child’s perspective – bend down to the ground and see what they can get their hands on.
Now let us understand what baby proofing actually is? Making the home safe for children means making such changes in the house that the child does not face any danger like injury, burn, fall, drowning or poisoning. This does not mean curbing the child’s curiosity but giving him the freedom to play and learn in a safe environment. In such a situation, experts suggest easy and important measures to make the house safe.
Prevention of burns and scalds: Hot tea, coffee, stove and hot water are the biggest dangers for young children. Always keep hot drinks and food in the middle of the table, not at the edge. Keep the utensils on the stove with their handles turned inward. Before bathing, check the temperature of the water by hand or with a thermometer. The best temperature is 37-38° Celsius. Keep matches, lighters and candles out of the reach of children. Also install smoke alarms and practice leaving the house in case of fire.
Suffocation or strangulation: As soon as children find anything, the first thing they do is put it in their mouth. Do not give nuts, whole grapes, hard toffee to small children. Keep small toys, batteries, coins out of their reach. Make the child sleep on his back on a hard mattress, do not keep pillows, blankets or toys near him. Keep the curtain cords tied high.
Prevention from drowning: A child can drown even in water only 5 cm deep. Never leave the child alone while bathing. Empty buckets, tubs and basins after use. If there is a pond or pool around the house, fence it around. Always stay near the child and keep an eye on him.
Fall prevention: Falls are the biggest reason for children going to the hospital. Never leave the baby alone on the changing table, bed or sofa, keep the floor clean and dry. Install gates on both sides of the stairs. Install guards or locks on windows.
Safety from poisons and chemicals: Keep all medicines, detergents, pesticides in locked cabinets. Keep products in their original containers. Choose products with hard-to-open lids for children.
Prevent cuts and scratches: Install guards on sharp corners of furniture. Install the safety plug on the electrical socket. Keep sharp objects like scissors and knives out of the reach of children.
–IANS
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