Parents must consider an overwhelming amount of safety issues when their children are born, as well as when they grow and change. Besides childproofing the home, taking into account safety issues in the car and on outings is important. According to Kids Health, keeping kids safe is the top priority that parents have.
At Home
The home is usually considered a safe haven from the rest of the world, but many dangers may exist within the home. According to Kids Health, unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 14, and household accidents are the number one reason why children are taken to the emergency room. Supervision is the most important way to prevent injuries in the home, but parents are also encouraged to pay close attention to potential dangers as well.
Use safety gates at the top and bottom of staircases to prevent falls, and knob covers to prevent children from opening doors where medications, cleaning supplies and chemicals are stored. Also use outlet covers to prevent children from sticking objects into electrical outlets.
Kids Health also cautions parents to ensure that children are safe from drowning accidents. Never leave them unattended in the bathtub or in a backyard pool. Learn CPR in the event of a water accident.
In The Car
A car seat is the first line of defense. Healthy Children reports that thousands of children are killed each year because of improperly installed car seats or lack of car seat use. The current guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that infants be placed in rear-facing car seats until they are 1 year old and 20 lb. Toddlers and preschoolers can sit in front-facing car seats with harnesses, and school-age children can sit in booster seats until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall. Older children can use seat belts for safety. Children should also sit in the backseat, and should never be left in the car alone.
On Outings
Parents are responsible for making sure their children are safe even when away from home. One of the greatest fears of many parents is abduction, and Kids Health recommends that parents keep key pieces of information about their child with them at all times--including height, weight, eye and hair color, and a clear and recent picture. Fingerprinting children is also recommended. Parental supervision is the best way to prevent abductions.
Outdoor events are fun for children, but must be safe as well. Kids Health emphasizes the importance of helmets and other protective gear for bike riding and other wheeled adventures. Always have a plan in the event a child gets lost.
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