CHILD SAFETY IN THE HOME © PDST Home Economics

LETS START WITH SOME FACTS… “Four fifths of the fatal accidents in the home happen to children under five and elderly people over sixty-five.” (Garrett, 1969).“Four fifths of the fatal accidents in the home happen to children under five and elderly people over sixty-five.” (Garrett, 1969). “More children under fifteen die from accidents in the home than from infectious diseases.” (Garrett, 1969).“More children under fifteen die from accidents in the home than from infectious diseases.” (Garrett, 1969). According to “The Home Accident Surveillance System: Analysis of Domestic Accidents to Children” (1979), 42.6% of recorded cases of accidents to children involved children aged 0-14 years.According to “The Home Accident Surveillance System: Analysis of Domestic Accidents to Children” (1979), 42.6% of recorded cases of accidents to children involved children aged 0-14 years.

MORE RECENTLY… “Injury is the number one cause of death and life years lost for children”… “In children injury mortality is greater than childhood mortality from all other causes combined.” (North Western Health Board, 2003).“Injury is the number one cause of death and life years lost for children”… “In children injury mortality is greater than childhood mortality from all other causes combined.” (North Western Health Board, 2003). “…children in the 0-5 age group are most at risk of injuries in the home, with 1-3 year olds experiencing the highest number of injuries.” (National Injury Committee, 2006)“…children in the 0-5 age group are most at risk of injuries in the home, with 1-3 year olds experiencing the highest number of injuries.” (National Injury Committee, 2006)

Children are naturally curious and will therefore explore the world around them.Children are naturally curious and will therefore explore the world around them. At every developmental stage, boys are the most injury prone… “Boys will be boys!”.At every developmental stage, boys are the most injury prone… “Boys will be boys!”.

The good news is that 9 out of 10 injuries can be prevented by thinking and acting safe in everything we do.The good news is that 9 out of 10 injuries can be prevented by thinking and acting safe in everything we do. Children do not understand danger, so parents and guardians must follow some rules to make the home as safe a place as possible for toddlers and children.Children do not understand danger, so parents and guardians must follow some rules to make the home as safe a place as possible for toddlers and children. It is therefore very important for parents and guardians to anticipate children's developmental stages and to prepare for them. It is therefore very important for parents and guardians to anticipate children's developmental stages and to prepare for them.

PREVENTION OF FALLS

In the first year of a child's life, falls are often a result of babies rolling over, and moving for the first time. Never leave a baby alone on a high surface, even for a moment.In the first year of a child's life, falls are often a result of babies rolling over, and moving for the first time. Never leave a baby alone on a high surface, even for a moment. For toddlers and children, falls are often as a result of the child exploring their surroundings for the first time.For toddlers and children, falls are often as a result of the child exploring their surroundings for the first time. Luckily, there are some practical steps which parents and guardians can take to make the home as safe a place as possible for children to explore.Luckily, there are some practical steps which parents and guardians can take to make the home as safe a place as possible for children to explore.

Avoid baby walkers as they can over-turn easily and cause serious head injuries. dkimages.com/discover/previews/846/ JP G&imgrefurl= Home/Sports-Games- Recreation/Toys/Unassigned/Unassigned- 034.html&h=768&w=664&sz=111&hl=en&start=4 &um=1&tbnid=LgCDpkjsQ3- nJM:&tbnh=142&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq% 3Dbaby%2Bwalkers%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1 %26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Always use stair-gates at the top and bottom of the stairs, and ensure that they are properly secured. B1%5D.jpg

Use anti-slip mats in the bath.

Avoid placing furniture near windows to discourage children from climbing.Avoid placing furniture near windows to discourage children from climbing. Fit all windows with window restrictors which do not require tools for opening.Fit all windows with window restrictors which do not require tools for opening. When moving a child from cot to bed, attach a safety rail to the edge of the bed.When moving a child from cot to bed, attach a safety rail to the edge of the bed. p.co.uk/product/asp/ProdID/2301/CtgID/2302/af /_images/products/Security_Hardware/Full_Images /securistay_window_lock.jpg ue/products/g4063/zoom/g4063_fr.jpg

Baby-no-bumps… Hats to protect babies head! born.co.uk/images/graphics/cl80toiletlocknewpicture.jpg

IN ADDITION… 1.Ensure that walkways and stairs are kept clutter free. 2.Replace any missing banisters. In preventing cuts and bruises, a number of precautions can be taken: 1.Always keep sharp objects out of the reach of children. 2.Heavy furniture, such as televisions and bookcases should be strapped to the wall, to avoid danger of children pulling them down upon themselves. 3.Store sharp cutlery, scissors etc in a drawer with cupboard safety locks fitted. 4.Fit corner cushions onto the sharp edges of furniture, to help avoid danger of children bumping off sharp edges. 5.Fit doors with door finger guards, to prevent children from damaging, or even losing their fingers, as they stop the door from closing completely.

PREVENTION OF BURNS AND SCALDS

In the home, nearly three-quarters of burns and scalds in children under 5 occur in the kitchen.In the home, nearly three-quarters of burns and scalds in children under 5 occur in the kitchen. These injuries are most likely to occur at mealtimes.These injuries are most likely to occur at mealtimes. Almost three quarters of all scalds are from hot drinks.Almost three quarters of all scalds are from hot drinks.

Always guard fires with both a spark guard and a fire guard. Make sure that the fire guard is secured to the wall.

Use a cooker guard to prevent your child from pulling hot pans down on top of themselves, and always cook on the back rings where possible.

Induction Cooking Instead of traditional flames or electric components to generate heat, induction cooking uses electromagnetic energy. The placement of an iron or magnetic pan onto an induction cooktop directs a magnetic field to the pan causing friction which creates instant heat. Only the cookware attracts that heat, keeping the rest of the cooker top cool to the touch. n.com/print/Kitchen-and- Bath-Design-News/High- Style-Appliances-Promote- Safety-and-Energy- Efficiency/2$3611

Remember… When running a bath for baby, always run the cold water first, and test the water temperature with your elbow.When running a bath for baby, always run the cold water first, and test the water temperature with your elbow. Avoid using table cloths as children tend to grasp or pull at them.Avoid using table cloths as children tend to grasp or pull at them. Switch off and unplug all electrical appliances when not in use.Switch off and unplug all electrical appliances when not in use. Matches and lighters are fascinating to children- always store them out of their sight and reach.Matches and lighters are fascinating to children- always store them out of their sight and reach.

Fire Prevention ©Microsoft Clipart Online, 2007

Statistics Ireland has the worst record in the EU for child deaths due to fire. (European Child Safety Alliance, 2007)Ireland has the worst record in the EU for child deaths due to fire. (European Child Safety Alliance, 2007) ¾ of fires start in the living room and bedroom between 8 pm and 8 am.¾ of fires start in the living room and bedroom between 8 pm and 8 am.

What steps are necessary to reduce the risk of fire in the home? Install working smoke alarms in every room of the house.Install working smoke alarms in every room of the house. Make a fire escape plan with your family.Make a fire escape plan with your family. Close all doors before going to bed, and keep the keys to all escape route doors in the locks.Close all doors before going to bed, and keep the keys to all escape route doors in the locks. Always guard open fires with a spark guard, and attach the fire guard to the wall, so that children cannot move them if they fall against them.Always guard open fires with a spark guard, and attach the fire guard to the wall, so that children cannot move them if they fall against them. Keep a fire blanket and extinguisher in the house- preferably in the kitchen, but away from the cooker.Keep a fire blanket and extinguisher in the house- preferably in the kitchen, but away from the cooker. Teach all members of the family how to use a fire blanket.Teach all members of the family how to use a fire blanket.

Always use socket guards, and turn off switches when not in use.

Prevention of Accidental Poisoning

In Ireland each year, unintentional poisoning of children under the age of 5 leads to 1,000 hospital admissions.In Ireland each year, unintentional poisoning of children under the age of 5 leads to 1,000 hospital admissions. According to the National Injury Prevention Committee (2006),most incidences of child poisoning in the home occur between the hours of 7 and 11 am.According to the National Injury Prevention Committee (2006),most incidences of child poisoning in the home occur between the hours of 7 and 11 am.

How can unintentional poisoning be avoided? Keep all medicines in their original childproof containers, and store them locked away in a medicine cabinet or locked press.Keep all medicines in their original childproof containers, and store them locked away in a medicine cabinet or locked press. Store household chemicals and cleaners in cupboards which are out of reach of children, and secure cupboards with a child safety lock.Store household chemicals and cleaners in cupboards which are out of reach of children, and secure cupboards with a child safety lock. einc/catalog/am_cabnitelock_3.jpg

Never use soft drink containers for storage of any item which may be harmful or dangerous to children.Never use soft drink containers for storage of any item which may be harmful or dangerous to children. Always buy toys which have a safety symbol, such as the CE mark. (Some toys may contain paints or toxins which are harmful to children).Always buy toys which have a safety symbol, such as the CE mark. (Some toys may contain paints or toxins which are harmful to children). Only give toys to children which are suitable for their age and developmental stage.Only give toys to children which are suitable for their age and developmental stage.

Water Safety

Never leave your child alone near water!Never leave your child alone near water! Children of all ages can drown in very shallow water.Children of all ages can drown in very shallow water. Children under 1 are most at risk of drowning in the bath. (Always empty bathwater immediately after use.)Children under 1 are most at risk of drowning in the bath. (Always empty bathwater immediately after use.) Always use an anti-slip mat in the bath.Always use an anti-slip mat in the bath. Keep toilet lids down, and secure with a safety latch.Keep toilet lids down, and secure with a safety latch. born.co.uk/images/graphics/cl80toiletlocknewpicture.jpg

Prevention of Choking

Babies and children have a natural tendency to place things into their mouths; from food to toys, to stones and ribbons. All of these provide a choking hazard, with food being the biggest risk factor.Babies and children have a natural tendency to place things into their mouths; from food to toys, to stones and ribbons. All of these provide a choking hazard, with food being the biggest risk factor.

1.Children's clothes with ties or cords should be avoided. 2.Curtain cords also provide a hazard, and should be avoided while the child is young. 3.Never use pillows for babies, particularly in the first year. 4.Never leave children alone at mealtimes, and cut up their food into small pieces. 5.Keep plastic bags and cling film out of a child's reach. 6.Do not allow children to eat in bed. The best way to reduce the risk of a child choking is to be constantly aware of what is within their reach, and also of the child's developmental stage.

Relevance to Home Economics Syllabus Junior Certificate:Junior Certificate: Quality/Product Labelling and SafetyQuality/Product Labelling and Safety Safety in the HomeSafety in the Home Childcare option: Stages of DevelopmentChildcare option: Stages of Development Design and Craftwork option: Factors to consider.Design and Craftwork option: Factors to consider. Room PlanningRoom Planning Leaving Certificate: Resource Management and Consumer Studies: Factors to be considered for Housing and Technology topics/ Quality and Safety Markings and Considerations Housing Elective

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