Safety Checklists While Away From HomeOne very important thing to keep in mind, as we make our lodging and travel arrangements, is the safety of our children. Staying with relatives and friends can be an enriching experience for our kids, but some of our relatives and friends are not familiar with safety measures necessary when having young children in a home. Here are a few hints that you can pass along to grandparents, aunts, uncles and/or friends with whom you may be visiting.
The Poison Control Number which can be called from anywhere in the U.S. is: 1-800-222-1222.
Please ensure that toddlers and young children are supervised at all times.
Please ensure that medications are locked and out of reach of children.
IN THE KITCHEN
| · | Keep toddlers out of the kitchen with a safety gate when you are cooking or otherwise distracted. Turn pot handles away from the front of the stove so your child cannot grab them. Use only the back burners when possible. |
| · | Unplug appliances when they're not in use. Make sure that appliance cords do not dangle over the edges of counters where curious children may tug at them. |
| · | Store all cleansers, toothpicks, plastic bags and other hazardous items high above a child's reach in a locked cabinet. |
| · | Store glassware out of children's reach. |
| · | Hang a working fire extinguisher within your reach but high enough to be out of young children's reach. |
| · | Remove stove dials or cover them with childproof caps. |
| · | Keep children away from un-insulated oven doors. |
| · | Install safety locks on drawers, especially if they contain dangerous objects such as knives, scissors and other sharp utensils. |
| · | Place a lock on your microwave to prevent young children from using it. Never allow children under the age of eight to use the microwave. |
| · | Keep hot foods and liquids away from the edges of tables. Do not use tablecloths or place mats around babies or toddlers to reduce the risk of a child pulling hot foods and beverages down on himself. |
IN THE BATHROOM
| · | Never leave a young child unattended in the bath, not even for a few seconds. |
| · | Place nonskid decals or a mat inside the tub to prevent slipping. |
| · | Turn hot water heater down to keep the temp below 120 degrees. |
| · | Put a lid lock on the toilet to prevent toddler drowning. |
Remember to store razors, medicines soaps and cleaning products high in a locked cabinet. Medicines in general should not be stored in the bathroom because the heat and humidity may affect their potency.
THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE
| · | Have at least one working smoke detector on each level of your home and at least one carbon monoxide detector. |
| · | Keep matches and lighters out of children's reach. |
| · | Place houseplants on high shelves. |
| · | Cover all electrical outlets with outlet covers, including outlets in use. |
| · | Wrap window shade cords high above a child's reach (including reaching from the sofa, crib or other potential climbing position) |
| · | To keep children from accidentally locking themselves in rooms, remove the door lock or place a towel over the tops of doors to prevent doors from closing completely. |
| · | Install child safety gates at the top and bottom of the staircase. |
| · | Place a cover over radiators to avoid burns |
| · | Use extension cords wisely. Unplug them and put away when not in use. Stop using a frayed cord or one that is hot or warm to the touch. |
| · | Secure the doors of clothes dryers, so that children cannot open them. |
| · | Remove or replace small drawer knobs or electronic equipment knobs (such as stereo dials) that curious young children may remove and ingest. |
BACKYARD
| · | Never leave children unattended near a pool, even a wading pool. Make sure your pool is securely fenced in so that children cannot have access without your knowledge and supervision. Do not rely solely on pool alarms or pool covers to keep your children safe. |