Our homes should be a safe place for children to have fun with family and friends! However, there are some hidden dangers in homes that all parents should be aware of. See the tips below to keep your kids safe inside!
Bathtub, Bathroom and Water Safety
Did you know that infants and toddlers can drown in as little as 1 inch of water? That is why you should always stay within arms' reach of your child any time they are in or near water. The bathroom poses many potential dangers for children. Read below on how to keep your bathroom safe!
- If you need to step away from bath time, even for a few seconds, take your child out of the water.
- Gather everything you will need before bath time so you will not need to leave your child’s side.
- Keep your hot water heater set below 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid burns.
- Keep the doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed and use toilet locks.
- Empty any buckets, tubs, containers or inflatable pools immediately after using them.
Poison Safety
Many common household items can be poisonous to children, including medications and cleaning supplies, and 9 out of 10 cases of child poisoning actually happen inside the home. See below on how to keep these poisons away from your child.
- Keep all household products and medications locked in cabinets out of sight AND out of reach.
- Some commonly overlooked products which also need to be kept out of reach include: vitamins, laundry detergent pods, hygiene products such as lotions, perfumes and cosmetics, and even some houseplants.
- Save the Poison Helpline number (1-800-222-1222) in your phone and post the number somewhere where it can be easily seen, such as on the fridge. It is free, private, and open 24-hours.
Firearm Safety
Unfortunately, each year nearly 350 children in the U.S. gain access to a firearm and accidentally shoot themselves or someone else. Every gun owner can save lives by storing their gun with the S.M.A.R.T. method.
- S- Store firearms unloaded and locked (for example in a safe or lock box) with bullets stored in a separate place.
- M- Model responsible behavior around guns. Do not clean or unload your gun around children. Teach children that they should tell an adult immediately if they see a gun.
- A- Ask about places where your child plays, including play dates or sleepovers, to make sure any guns are stored safely.
- R- Recognize signs of depression and risks of suicide, especially in teenagers. Suicide attempts with guns are fatal 9 out of 10 times.
- T- Tell others to be SMART too! Talk about firearm safety with friends, family, and other caregivers.
Use these tips to help keep our kids just as safe indoors as they are outside!
About the Authors
Hailey Nelson, MD, FAAP, IBCLC is a complex care pediatrician at Valley Children’s Charlie Mitchell Children’s Center. Dr. Nelson enjoys working with children of all ages and abilities and is especially passionate about providing the best possible care to medically fragile children and their families. As the ambassador for Safe Kids Central California, she is a vocal advocate for children’s wellness and regularly appears in news media discussing pediatric healthcare. She is also a licensed breastfeeding consultant, certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultants to support nursing mothers and their babies. Learn more about Dr. Nelson here.
Dr. Alexandra Drury is a Washington native who comes to Valley Children's from Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and is in her third year of Postgraduate Residency. Dr. Drury is an advocate for individualizing care for children because they are each unique and come with different experiences. She strives to make medical care as comfortable as possible for patients and families. Learn more about Dr. Drury here.