Childproofing or baby proofing refers to the measures which one takes to make their home safer for their babies. These measures involve activities such as identifying and removing potential hazards or risks which can cause potential injury to the child. Many Indian parents today have realised the importance of childcare and have been investing heavily in providing good care to their children. However, even though parents have been buying child care products to ensure the health and safety of their child yet childproofing or baby proofing measures are often missed from their safety measures.
“More than half of all child deaths in children of the age group 1 to 14 years of age occurs due to injuries at home. Most injuries involving under 5-year-olds are due to falls from height, burns, scalds, and poisonings. These accidents are potentially preventable if parents recognize these hazards beforehand and take remedial action. Therefore, recognising these risks and fixing them makes your home safer for children,” told Dr Chetan Ginigeri, a Paediatrics at Aster CMI Hospital to HZ. He also suggested some of the measures which parents can take to childproof or baby-proof their homes.
Baby Proofing Your Homes
Keep The Edges Of Tables And Platforms Free
Never keep hot, heavy or sharp items near the edges of, shelves, dining tables, or kitchen platforms, etc. Baby’s skin is 40% thinner. It cuts, bruises and burns easily.
No Role Play In Kitchen
Children love kitchens. The aroma, colour, and sound of kitchen activity always draws children’s attention and a moment of careless leads to serious burn and cut injuries.
Bathing Should Finish Uninterrupted
Children love playing with water especially in summers. They see their own reflection in the water and get attracted. In most of the cases, buckets are the largest cause of home drowning in the world. Therefore, keeping all buckets and drums closed lid is necessary. It is also important to ensure, that parents never leave a child alone in the bathroom to answer a phone or doorbell.
Don’t Leave Medicine Lingering Around
All medicine cabinets and harmful chemicals need to be kept out of sight. Children should never have any access to the same as they can swallow these medicines which can later turn fatal for their health.
Keep All Cupboards, Drawer Shelves Closed
Door pinch injuries and finger crush injuries are very common in children. Don’t take an unnecessary risk by keeping them open.
Children less than 1 year need special care as they tend to face more accidents. Here are certain specific characteristics -
They Have A Large Head
They can topple easily and when they fall from height. The head will hit the ground first, hence they remain at very high risk for head injuries.
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They Mouth Everything
Because of this innocent habit children ingests any harmful material. Sometimes it also includes moving insects, button batteries and medicines and chemicals. Baby has very weak legs, so they cannot wriggle out of danger. Toddlers are like little scientists who are extremely curious and fearless. Hence, children of this age group are most vulnerable and are at a high risk of having accidents.
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Keep These In Mind
- There should not be any unstable furniture in the drawing-room. Children often fall and get injuries.
- While eating children should not be playing as it is a major choking hazard.
- Toys with detachable parts should never be given to children less than 3 years of age.
- All electrical appliances must be switched off and unplugged. Washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and heating lament for cooking, ironing clothes are common causes of injuries.
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