The main sources of danger for a child at home. We search and eliminate
At every age, a child discovers something new. Growing up is an amazing and fascinating process, but, unfortunately, it is inextricably linked with dangers. The task of parents is to protect the child from threats, but at the same time not to suppress independence and interest in the world around him. This also applies to the organization of space at home, where, alas, accidents also happen to children.
Safe environment for newborn babies
It is believed that the risk of serious injury increases exponentially from the moment a child begins to walk. This is true, but children's safety in the first months of life also requires attention, and the main source of threats is often located where the baby spends a significant part of the time - in the crib. We are, of course, talking about the sides and canopies that decorate the cradle.
Decorative elements for cribs increase the risk of accidental suffocation of a child - this is a fact. According to a study published in the specialized American journal Pediatrics, in 2011-2014, 250 American babies suffocated in their sleep. In 69% of cases, the cause of death was bedding.
Safe baby cot:
- No soft sides. They pose a risk of suffocation for babies who do not yet know how to roll over and hold their heads up, so they can easily fall with their mouth or nose closed.
- Without feather beds, large pillows, blankets and large soft toys. The reason is the same.
- Canopies and awnings must be removed when the child begins to stand up, that is, at 4-6 months - they carry a risk of suffocation and injury.
- From the moment the child learns to stand up, rattles should not be hung across the crib.
- The optimal distance between the bars of the crib is 6-7 cm. This will allow the baby to safely insert an arm or leg between them without the risk of getting stuck, but will not allow the baby to stick his head through.
In fact, the simpler the children's bed in design and content, the better. In the end, we must admit that all these decorations are more needed by parents, and not by their newborn children, who are not able to appreciate the aesthetic merits.
We provide security in the apartment for toddlers
Toddler is a good English word that refers to a child who has just started walking, that is, between the ages of 1 and 3 years. The older he gets, the more he wants to make his own decisions, and prohibitions often infuriate him. Therefore, you need to act proactively and eliminate dangers in advance.
To do this, look at the space of your home from the position of a small person of stature and age without life experience - from below. Lie on the floor, walk on all fours. Everything that he can reach can become dangerous for a child, but by analyzing the main types of household childhood injuries, you can create a very specific list of potential risks.
The main sources of children's injuries at home
| Source of danger | Example | Possible injury |
| Electricity, gas, hot | Stove, oven, kettle, boiling water and hot food, heaters, sockets | Electric shock, burns from touching or tripping |
| Household chemicals | Dishwashing/laundry detergents in any form, insecticides | Poisoning, suffocation due to ingestion of capsules/tablets |
| Home first aid kit | Any medicines and vitamins in the form of tablets, capsules, syrups | Poisoning, overdose, severe side effects, mechanical asphyxiation |
| Heavy objects, furniture | Loose shelves, cabinets, chests of drawers, chairs, vases on tables, flowers on window sills, TVs and monitors on cabinets | Bruises and abrasions due to impacts on sharp corners, fingers pinched by drawers and doors, injuries due to objects falling on the child |
| Small items | Batteries, coins, buttons, nuts, parts of toys, construction sets | Choking due to getting caught in the airways, problems with internal organs due to ingestion |
| Sharp objects | Needles, knives, nails, construction tools (screwdrivers, drills, saws, jigsaws, hacksaws) | Cuts, punctures, electrical injuries due to insertion into sockets/violation of wire integrity |
| Height | Windows, window sills, stairs, furniture (beds, sofas, tables, shelving) | Falls, bruises, fractures, concussions |
| Doors | Interior, entrance | Pinched fingers during play or due to negligence |
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This is a general list. Depending on whether it is a private house or an apartment building, gasified or not, large or small area, etc. sources of danger will vary. Eliminate them based on your circumstances.
Safety etiquette for children who are left at home alone
When a child grows up, learns the rules of household safety and begins to go to school, there comes a time when he is left at home alone - this is the norm. Threats of a different kind lurk here - sudden situations to which you need to be able to react correctly.
How to keep your child safe if he is alone at home:
- be sure to learn and additionally write down on paper the main telephone numbers of emergency services : fire protection, ambulance and police, as well as number 112, an analogue of the American number 911. To make it easier for the child to figure out when to call where, draw a visual clue next to the phone: a fire near the number 01, next to telephone 03 - a red cross, etc.;
- The child must know the telephone numbers of parents and trusted adults in order to contact them in case of danger. They can also be written down and left in a visible place at home;
- Explain to your child that calls from unknown numbers cannot be answered ;
- Teach your child not to answer the intercom, not to open the door to strangers , even if it is a familiar person, for example, a neighbor, and not to say that he is alone at home . You can learn more about the rules of behavior with strangers from this article He is a stranger, he is bad: rules of conduct for children with strangers;
- When leaving, do not leave the windows open ;
- if you live on the first floors, prohibit your child from approaching the windows if someone is knocking on them, and not talking, even if people outside ask to answer;
- sticks, lighters and other sources of open flame should not remain in sight of the child. Even the most adequate of children can succumb to a sudden desire to quietly “experiment.”
At this age, you can turn to modern technologies for child safety, especially when the child is left at home alone. Buy him a children's smart watch and/or install the “Where are my children” application on his smartphone. With this kit, you can listen to what is happening at home while you are away or when the child does not answer the phone, and the child himself will be able to send you a quick SOS signal in case of danger.
Conversation: “Safety at home”
The wolf deceived the gullible kids. Guys, can strangers be allowed into the house? And why?Unfortunately, there are people who do not want to work, live dishonest lives, and engage in theft. These people are very cunning. They can pretend, often change clothes, change their appearance (glue on a mustache, beard, change glasses) so that people do not recognize them: after all, the police are usually looking for them. You, of course, understand how dangerous it is to let such a person into your home.
Don't open the door to a stranger. To the question: “Are you home alone?” - always answer “No, not alone: grandma is resting (mom is in the bathroom, dad is watching TV).” Do not give in to any persuasion or requests to open the door. And if necessary, call your neighbors and tell them that someone wants to enter your apartment. If intruders try to break down the door, call the police by phone 02. Then call your mom or dad at work and your neighbors. If you don’t have a phone, shout loudly: “Police, leave immediately, they’re breaking down the door!” - and give the address.
Call for help from the balcony or from the window: “Help, they’re breaking the door, and I’m home alone!”
Guys, you need to know your address. Do you know your address? And write down the phone numbers of your neighbors, work phone numbers of your mom, dad, and loved ones.
Conversation: “Personal safety on the street.”
Purpose: To explain to children what dangers may lie in wait on the street.
Progress of the conversation:
Hello guys! I was told this yesterday. You will not believe. It turns out that there are dangers lurking for us on the street too. To avoid them, you must follow the rules. Do you want me to tell them to you? Then listen.
If you have lost your parents in a strange place, stay where you are lost. If they are gone for a long time, ask for help: on the street - to a policeman, in a store - to a salesperson, in the subway - to the duty officer. Do you remember? Then listen further.
Never go for a walk without asking. Parents should always know where you are. And don't play outside late. Incidents are more likely to occur in the dark. What could happen? (Dogs or hooligans may attack.) That’s why do not agree to go with unfamiliar children or adults to someone else’s entrance, basement, vacant lot or other deserted places. But why? (They can offend you, kidnap you.) From this it follows that you should not talk on the street with strangers. Also, never talk to drunk people. Do not agree to any proposals from unknown adults. Even act in a movie. Don't go anywhere with adults you don't know and don't get in the car with them. If unfamiliar adults try to take you away by force, resist, scream, call for help: “Help! A stranger is taking me away!” Guys, is it possible to invite strangers home if there are no adults at home? Why? (They can rob or misbehave.) Is it okay to brag that your parents have a lot of money? Why? (They might rob)
But here is the most important rule: do not accept treats from unfamiliar adults. Even if your parents never bought you such delicious things.
