These are difficult times for all of us. Things can get a little crazy in the house. We are living under lockdown, the kids have been stuck at home for weeks, and parents are navigating so many competing priorities.
“These are challenging times and we already worry that the new coronavirus pandemic may lead to a rise in accidents and child injuries. But there are precautions you can take to ensure maximum safety in your home. These can help prevent trips to the emergency room and a strain on an already overburdened health-care system,” says personal injury lawyer Sean M. Cleary.
How can families survive not only the virus but also dangers lurking in corners of their homes they never even knew existed? The good news is there are a few things you can pay attention to that can help prevent injuries and keep kids safe at home.
Be aware of household chemical products
Most of our homes are filled with potentially dangerous chemicals. If these products are not properly used and stored, they could cause minor to severe and even life-threatening injuries for children. All-purpose cleaners, bleach and laundry detergents are especially useful and convenient now, but can also be a safety hazard for kids. If consumed, they can cause brain injuries, breathing problems, choking, and even wrongful death. So, it’s important to use and store household cleaning products safely and keep them away from children at all times to prevent injuries.
Keep all medicine out of children’s reach
The safest place to store medications and vitamins is up and away and out of the reach and sight of children. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Locked cabinets are safe and secure locations where you can keep your medicines and vitamins. Keep in mind that your child can use the countertops or toilet to reach high places. So, cabinets are the lowest risk areas in your home, high enough so your child can’t reach or see.
Another thing you can do is to never leave medicines and vitamins at a sick child’s bedside or out on a kitchen counter. Always put them away after you use them, even if you might need them again in a few hours. Do not leave them out because of convenience.
TVs and furniture can tip over
Today, there are still TVs out there that way 100 pounds or more. When a heavy TV topples over on a child it can crush him or her and lead to serious injury or death. You should never allow your kids to climb on the TV stand and you should secure the TV on the stand or anchor it to the wall. If you have decorative shelves throughout the house, these may also pose potential risks, especially when bumped.
These must also be secured to the wall with the proper brackets and studs to prevent loosening. Never overload shelves, and teach your children not to climb on them. Never install shelves above your child’s bed. Items could easily fall on your child or the shelves can break loose. Teach your children to pay attention to the furniture. Desks, dressers, tables, and chests can get in the way if they are not looking where they are going.
Window blind cords are choking hazards
Today, most of the time, children sustain injuries at home from products that are meant to make adults’ lives more convenient. Unfortunately, these may also pose high risks for young children. For example, blind cords can become tangled around a child’s neck and lead to strangulation. Newer industry standards have required the manufacturing of cordless blinds or blinds with inaccessible or short cords. However, these new standards are not always enough to prevent strangulation. Never place your child’s bed by the window where they can easily access the blinds.
Prevent stairway injuries in children
Falling down a flight of stairs is, unfortunately, still a common occurrence that can result in several serious long-term injuries. The usual injuries are head injuries and broken or fractured bones. The risk of falling on stairs depends on several factors including, for example, the floor covering, the number of stairs, whether guard rails are present on both sides of the stairway and whether there is grasping space for both knuckles and fingers on railings.
In conclusion, while adjusting to the new normal, make sure children are supervised. Create a safe place for kids to play by keeping cleaning products, medicine and cords to window blinds out of reach, securing TVs and top-heavy furniture and installing safety gates on stairs and guards on windows to prevent falls.
Author Bio:
Sean M. Cleary is a personal injury attorney, founder, and president of The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary. He has high expertise in representing all types of personal injuries from fractures and paraplegia to injuries caused by medical malpractice, while also offering support to the injured victim’s family.
