Keeping your Children Safe at Home - Top Tips
Avoiding Falls
Falls cause the most accidents in the home:
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Never leave babies unattended while on a raised surface
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Change baby’s nappy on the floor
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Fit screw fixed safety gates to the top and bottom of the stairs
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Fit window restrictors to stop the window opening fully
Preventing Fire
72% of burn and scald injuries happen to the Under 5’s
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Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children
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Always use a fireguard and secure it to the wall
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Fit smoke alarms and regularly check they are working
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Extinguish cigarettes and matches completely
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Work out and practice a fire escape plan with your family
Avoiding Scalds
Hot drinks can stay hot enough to scald a baby for at least 15 minutes after being made:
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Never leave hot drinks within reach of children
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Avoid hot drinks while holding a baby or a child
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Use the back plates when possible and turn all saucepan handles inwards
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Run cold water into the bath first and then add the hot
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Check bath water temperature with your elbow before putting the baby in
Avoiding Suffocation and Choking
Children can swallow, inhale, or choke on items such as small toys, peanuts and marbles:
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Choose toys appropriate to the age of the child
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Ensure that small objects are kept out of reach of children under three
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Pull-Cords on curtains and blinds should be kept short and out of reach
Avoiding Poisoning
75% of accidents involving household chemicals and medicines happen to children Under 5:
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Lock all pills and medicines in a high cupboard in the kitchen
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Keep chemicals and household cleaners locked away or in a high cupboard
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Keep medicines, cleaners and garden chemicals in their original containers
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Try to buy medicines and chemicals in containers with child-resistant caps
Avoiding Drowning
Children can drown in less than 5cm of water. They should be under constant supervision when in or near any water:
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Never leave children or babies in the bath unsupervised, even for a moment
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Empty and tidy away paddling pools
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Cover ponds with a strong mesh, fence off or convert to sandpits
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Supervise children under 5 when playing in the garden
For more information or advice on how to prevent accidents around the home, contact your local Home Safety Officer at Cookstown District Council, Burn Road, Cookstown, BT80 8DT or telephone 028867 62205
