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In the United States, more children die each
from accidental injuries than from disease or violence. Toddlers
are the most vulnerable, and children between the ages of 1-4 account
for most accidents involving drowning, falling and choking. At this
age, kids are very busy exploring their environment. However, they
lack the ability to judge the safety of their actions and that can
lead to serious consequences. As a parent, it is important that
you do your best to protect them from dangerous situations, especially
at home. There are many child safety products to choose from to
help keep your kids safe.
If your house has stairs, a child safety gate
is essential. Falls are at the top of the list for causes of accidental
injury among children. Once your baby starts crawling, closing
off access to the stairs with a gate can provide protection against
a serious fall. Gates should be installed at the top and bottom
of staircases to totally eliminate access to the child. Make sure
the gate is secure so that it will not come loose if the child
pushes against it. Using a gate to block access to the kitchen
when you are cooking is also a good way to prevent injury. Keeping
curious hands away from a hot stove can reduce the risk of burns.
With so many house fires starting in the kitchen, a gate can definitely
increase fire safety for the kids in the home.
Other products that can protect your youngsters
from accidental injury are safety plugs for unused outlets. These
plastic covers protect little fingers from electrical shock. There
are different kinds of latches that can be attached to cupboards
to prevent young children from opening them. You can even buy
a lock for use on an oven or microwave door.
However, whatever safety products you do use in
your home, make sure that you keep up to date with current product
recalls. Recall information for all children’s products can
be found on the website for the Consumer Product Safety Commission
(www.cpsc.gov). The information is updated monthly.
There are many products available that can help
protect your child from injury in the home. However, it is now
possible to protect them from abduction or going astray when out
at the park or in the mall. A child safety alarm features a small
transmitter that is attached to the child’s clothing. The
parent carries the receiver. The alarm will activate when the
child ventures past the monitoring distance. Depending on the
model, the distance can be set to between ten to three hundred
feet. These devices are affordable, and range from $20 - $60.
If your house has a swimming pool in the backyard,
a pool alarm can be invaluable. A child can slip into the pool
and drown within minutes. A pool alarm can cost over $100, but
it is definitely a worthwhile investment to help save the life
of your precious little ones.
As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure
safety of your child, especially when young. Kid-friendly organizations,
such as Safe Kids Worldwide, offer many tips on preventing all
kinds of injuries, including those from bike accidents, choking
hazards, and poison control.
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