3 Things To Teach YourKids About Home Safety

Richard Horowitz

What is the mostcommon cause ofdeath in children

over one year of age?

Accidents right athome!

How is the center offamily life, the home,

such a dangerous place?

There are some kinds ofhome accidents that

stand out above the rest,because they happen

more frequently.

Children need to beaware of these dangers,and taught how to avoid

injury.

FALLS

Falls are the most common accident in the home, andabout 10 children die in the United States from fallswithin the home each year. Falls cause 44 percent ofall children’s misadventures. Some of these are the

results of falling out of a highchair or from a bed.The very worst occur from heights, such as windows.

RULES FOR CHILDREN:

Horseplay and climbing are not permitted inside thehouse.

Horseplay, pushing and shoving can send someone

through a window.

Climbing can tip heavy objects over onto a child, suchas a dresser with laddered drawers.

Beds should not be used as trampolines.

A child can be catapulted into hard furniture or glass.

POISONING

Poisoning is the second-leading cause ofaccidental home injuries and deaths, accounting

for nearly 5,000 deaths per year.

RULES FOR CHILDREN:

Poisons are very tricky, they can look like candy, orsomething else that is good to eat.

If something smells funny, do not put it into yourmouth.

Ask a parent or caregiver first.

Vitamins or pills are not candy.

Never put pills or medicine in your mouth or on yourbody without permission from a parent or doctor.

Do not use cleaning products without an adult toguide you.

BURNSBurns are the third-leading cause of

home accidents and deaths per year inthe United States. Fire drills twice

yearly and plenty of smoke alarms aregood preventive measures to take.

RULES FOR CHILDREN:

It is never okay to experiment with fire.

All lighters, matches and flammables arenever to be touched.

An adult needs to participate with you ina fire drill, to be sure you know justwhere to go and what to do if a fire

breaks out.

Practice this once in a while so you canremember it.

Fatalities usually get the most press, but injuries, and permanent ones, still result from lack ofsafety training and parental supervision in homes. Child safety training is imperative!