While we desire our homes to be secure, hidden risks may go unnoticed. Hence, being aware and taking measures to guarantee our kids’ safety is crucial. Here are some frequently overlooked dangers that will help you take better care of your family’s protection.
- Toxic chemicals
- Heavy furniture
- Coin Batteries
- Choking hazards
- Air quality
- Balconies and open windows
- Cooking Appliances
- Water
- Lead-based paints
- Electrical sockets and wires
- Digital Access
One of the inherent undercover dangers that one may not readily see is existence of the toxic chemicals. For example, many household cleaning products have effective chemicals that are added to them but can be dangerous when inhaled or ingested.
Among them are multi-purpose cleaners, detergents for washing, and even air sprays. Parents must opt for natural and non-toxic alternatives and make sure such products are safely locked away from their children.
Another potential source of danger comes from furniture and appliances which are often tippy. Some other heavy and large items include bookcases, television stands, and dressers that can be lethal should they fall on top of a small child. Make sure all furniture as well as large appliances are attached with anti-tip brackets or straps to the walls.
Also Read: Home Alone Safety
Small batteries, especially coin or button batteries, pose a significant ingestion risk. These are commonly found in small electronics, musical greeting cards, watches, remotes, calculators, and several toys. When ingested, button batteries can cause internal burns or kill a person altogether.
In the case of batteries, parents should be able to take care of their kids by seeing to it that battery compartments are secured and disposing of any loose batteries immediately or putting them out in places where the kids will not have access.
A part of the toy, some foods like whole grapes or cherry tomatoes, and small household items like knives, pencils, and lids of pens may get stuck in the air passage of a child. Soft and fluffy stuffed animals pose a suffocation risk for babies.
Buy or only give out toys that suit the child’s age.
The indoor air quality matters. Moulds, dust mites, pet dander, and tobacco smoke lead to breathing issues. They make allergies and asthma worse in children. To make the air better, open windows, use air purifiers, clean filters regularly, and avoid smoking indoors.
Children are curious enough, and they do not realize that they might fall if they go near the balcony or open windows. Put up window guards or locks so that windows can be kept by at least four inches open on a safer side where no child could squeeze through. Like the balconies, no climbable furniture should be kept on the balcony side. Also, there can be safety netting or barriers installed along the edges of the balconies to provide double security.
Also Read: Electricity Safety
CO is a colourless and odourless gas which can leak from faulty furnaces, gas stoves or water heaters. CO poisoning can kill, and it is important to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home, especially near the sleeping areas while maintaining all the gas and combustion appliances regularly.
Water can also be a silent risk, and drowning does not only occur in pools. Children’s bodies have a high proportion of water mass over their dry weight and thus are easily sinkable. Such children can drown in as little as an inch of water.
It is important, therefore, that doors leading to bathrooms are always closed and children are safe from getting in the bathroom alone while there is water inside. Buckets or large pans containing water must be emptied immediately after use.
The presence of lead paint can be very harmful, especially to children. Ingestion or inhalation comes from chipping or peeling of the paints. Parents must subject their old homes to inspection and professional treatment as needed for removal or encapsulation of the lead-based paints.
Electrical outlets and loose wires lying around at home can pose a hazard. Make sure your children cannot reach any electrical cords or outlets to prevent potential emergencies.
Disconnect any electrical appliances when not in use. Use safety covers to cover open sockets and remove any unused wires.
The internet presents a series of risks to a child such as offensive content and online sexual predators. Make sure proper monitoring and control of the access your child has on the internet, empower the parental control locks, and encourage an open talk on safe navigation of the internet.
Also Read: Bathroom Safety for Children
There are multiple lurking dangers inside the home and being aware of all these dangers as well as the relevant precautionary measures can significantly reduce risks. Parents should be aware and take such steps themselves to minimize all such risks that may prevail in the home environment.
At EuroSchool, we prioritize the safety and well-being of every child. Contact us for more information about our curriculum and how we ensure a safe and nurturing environment for your child’s growth. Take your first step towards a brighter future for your child.
