Recently I was asked to speak about safety in the home to a mom's group that my mother in law runs. It was great to do some research and as I practised my talk to my husband the night before we found that we also needed to make some changes now that our little guy is growing up a little. These are my notes.
Top 10 causes of death in infants and children:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Suffocation
Traffic injuries
Drowning
Fire/Burns
Poisoning
Natural Environment
Falls
Choking
Abuse
Influenza/Pneumonia
General Safety:
Use safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs. Screw them into the wall rather than buying the “pressure gates”. Always use safety straps on high chairs, changing tables and strollers. Portable chairs or piccolos should be kept on the floor and not on a surface when baby is in them. Practise a safe way to get out of your house in the case of a fire or an intruder. Always have a “safe” place to meet in case of an emergency. Encourage children to learn your name and cell phone number. Install safety covers on electrical outlets and make sure your plugs are switched off when not in use. If you have a pool; a pool gate and net need to be installed. A safety alarm bracelet can also be worn by children who enjoy playing outside by the pool. Never leave your children unsupervised. Traffic injuries can easily happen!
Poisonings:
Cleaning products, medicines, alcohol and other poisons need to be placed in a cabinet with a child safety lock or latch. Things labeled: caution, warning, danger, poison, keep out of reach – all need to be put away out of sight. Don’t give your child any medication not prescribed. Even natural medications can have major complications. Aspirin, anti-nausea and adult medications are big no no’s. Remember to regularly clear out expired medications.
Fires and Burns:
Always keep a baby carrier near the baby’s bed so that you can find it fast in case of a fire. You can use it to keep your hands free in getting to a safe place. Matches and lighters need to be packed away in a locked cupboard. Bath water should not exceed 37 degrees. Use a bath thermometer to check this. Invest in a fire alarm. Stay by the stove when cooking, leaving something frying is especially dangerous. Lower the temperature on your geyser to prevent the water in your taps getting too hot, it will also save on electricity.
Breathing:
All babies should be put to sleep alone on their backs. Keep any extras, pillows, blankets and toys out of their sleeping space. Do not hang anything with strings or ribbons over their bed. Mobiles should be removed when baby has learnt to sit. Window blind cords should not have a loop, cut any in two pieces. Place the cord high up where children cannot get them. Children can choke on small things like buttons, coins, jewelry and toys. Make sure there are none lying around. If something is small enough to fit into a toilet paper tube it is not safe for little children. Check the labels on your children’s toys so that they are playing with things made for their age. Cut your child’s food into small bite size pieces and make sure they eat sitting down. Round, hard food like boiled sweets and big nuts are very dangerous. If your child is chocking, help them by raising their arms above their head to clear the passage way or hold them upside down and firmly hit them on the back. Never leave your baby alone in or near water, not even for a second. Bath mats or seats are great but not an excuse to leave your child unattended. Buckets should be stored upside down to prevent them from collecting water as small children can drown in 1 – 2 inches of water. Have locks on toilet lids or even better, keep your bathroom locked. Keep all plastic bags away from children.
First Aid kit essentials:
• plasters
• bandages
• gauze
• hand cleansing gel
• gloves
• first aid guide
• instant ice pack
• wash cloth
• Aloe Vera jelly packs
• thermometer - check when they are healthy, should not exceed 37,5-38 degrees Celsius when sick
• tape
• tweezers
• safety pins
• swabs
• family information (allergies, emergency numbers, etc)
• Burn Shield
• saline spray
• Panado/Nurofen/Calpol/Stopayne (for children)
• Aqueous cream (good for burns and irritations)
• Karvol
• Mucus sucker
• syringes (to administer medication)
• Rescue Remedy
• Bactizip
• Herbaforce Graze & Weeping wound powder
• GP/Paed recommended cough syrup (I have Prospan)
• GP/Paed recommended suppositories for fever and/or vomitting (I have Empamed for fevers)
It is essential that every parent and/or care giver attend a First Aid Course and have it renewed in the recommended time frame. You should have an ‘IN CASE OF EMERGENCY’ list on your fridge where details can be kept. You and your partner’s contact information, emergency numbers, simple instructions, escape routes, medical information about your child, food and drink list and activity schedule can be put on there so that all care givers and family members have the same information. Laminate it and keep a copy in your child’s bag for when they go visit at someone else’s home. Label all their medication and belongings.
For breathing problems (drowning, suffocation, choking), car accidents, head or neck injuries or an overdose of medication go to your nearest hospital (Private or State) or call an ambulance. For all other medical emergencies (sever bleeding, head trauma, seizures, meningitis, dehydration, broken bones, bad burns, other breathing issues, fever and bacterial infections) you can visit the hospital covered by your medical aid. Have a good relationship with your child’s doctor and ask them questions about general “what ifs” so you stay prepared.
