The bathroom
Lock medicines away safely. They should be in well-labeled, child-resistant containers. Remember that child-resistant doesn't mean child-proof. You should always check what you are giving, and all old medicines should be given back to the pharmacist or flushed down the toilet. Be careful about medicines which may be in houses that you are visiting.
Non-slip flooring is a sensible precaution, as is a non-slip mat in the bath for young children. Never use portable electrical appliances in the bathroom, apart from an electric shaver with its own shaver point. Lights should have pull cords, not wall switches. Scissors, razors, tweezers and manicure equipment should be locked away or kept out of reach.
The kitchen
The kitchen is a potentially hazardous place for a child. Apart from making it as safe as you can, teach her as she grows older to be wary of kitchen appliances and never to turn on or play with electrical gadgets. Safety catches will keep toddlers out of low cupboards and drawers. Sharp knives and plastic bags should be kept out of reach. If you use a tablecloth, buy special securing clips for it if you have a very young child who could pull it off the table. Keep hot drinks and teapots out of reach. It's easy to fall on highly polished or wet floors, so either don't polish floors or use a non-slip polish if you have a child running around, and mop up spills at once. The kitchen is a convenient place to keep your first aid box as long as it's out of your child's reach and not anywhere that is steamy.
The hall, stairs and landing
It's easiest to have two safety gates, one at the top and one at the bottom of the stairs, though one will do if you move it to whichever floor you and your crawling baby or young toddler are on. A child needs to learn how to cope with stairs, but she needs you with her as she crawls up and slides down backwards on her tummy and later tries walking up one step at a time. Check that the stair carpet is securely fixed and not frayed and that a mat or rug at the bottom of the stairs has a non-slip backing if it's on a smooth floor. Don't carry a child up or down stairs if you are carrying anything else, if you're in socks or tights because you could so easily slip, or if you're wearing a long dress you could trip over. Never leave things lying on the stairs, and try to make sure stairs and landings are well lit.
The living room
Check that free-standing furniture can't be pulled or pushed over, and don't make the common mistake of positioning a mirror over the fireplace because clothes can so easily catch fire when someone is looking in a mirror. Try and get into the habit of checking the living room every time your baby or toddler is in there. When a room is in constant use, small dangerous objects may be brought in there without your knowledge. Plastic record sleeves are a potential cause of suffocation, and needles, pins and scissors in your sewing kit make fascinating but hazardous playthings, so put them out of reach. If you have trailing house plants, put them on a shelf high enough that a toddler can't pull the whole pot down on her head. Make sure heavy ornaments are well out of her reach.
Tips
- Never leave a child alone in the bath, however little water there is.
- Never leave a young child alone with an unguarded fire.
- Never assume that your child will be safe in someone else's home. Have a good look around to make sure.
- Never put household chemicals in old bottles or unmarked bottles.
- Make sure cleaning equipment and household chemicals are kept somewhere out of reach of children, including when they are in use.
- Never let a child play with a pet's bowl, bedding or litter tray. Children can catch worms from dogs and cats.
Lock medicines away safely. They should be in well-labeled, child-resistant containers. Remember that child-resistant doesn't mean child-proof. You should always check what you are giving, and all old medicines should be given back to the pharmacist or flushed down the toilet. Be careful about medicines which may be in houses that you are visiting.
Non-slip flooring is a sensible precaution, as is a non-slip mat in the bath for young children. Never use portable electrical appliances in the bathroom, apart from an electric shaver with its own shaver point. Lights should have pull cords, not wall switches. Scissors, razors, tweezers and manicure equipment should be locked away or kept out of reach.
The kitchen
The kitchen is a potentially hazardous place for a child. Apart from making it as safe as you can, teach her as she grows older to be wary of kitchen appliances and never to turn on or play with electrical gadgets. Safety catches will keep toddlers out of low cupboards and drawers. Sharp knives and plastic bags should be kept out of reach. If you use a tablecloth, buy special securing clips for it if you have a very young child who could pull it off the table. Keep hot drinks and teapots out of reach. It's easy to fall on highly polished or wet floors, so either don't polish floors or use a non-slip polish if you have a child running around, and mop up spills at once. The kitchen is a convenient place to keep your first aid box as long as it's out of your child's reach and not anywhere that is steamy.
The hall, stairs and landing
It's easiest to have two safety gates, one at the top and one at the bottom of the stairs, though one will do if you move it to whichever floor you and your crawling baby or young toddler are on. A child needs to learn how to cope with stairs, but she needs you with her as she crawls up and slides down backwards on her tummy and later tries walking up one step at a time. Check that the stair carpet is securely fixed and not frayed and that a mat or rug at the bottom of the stairs has a non-slip backing if it's on a smooth floor. Don't carry a child up or down stairs if you are carrying anything else, if you're in socks or tights because you could so easily slip, or if you're wearing a long dress you could trip over. Never leave things lying on the stairs, and try to make sure stairs and landings are well lit.
The living room
Check that free-standing furniture can't be pulled or pushed over, and don't make the common mistake of positioning a mirror over the fireplace because clothes can so easily catch fire when someone is looking in a mirror. Try and get into the habit of checking the living room every time your baby or toddler is in there. When a room is in constant use, small dangerous objects may be brought in there without your knowledge. Plastic record sleeves are a potential cause of suffocation, and needles, pins and scissors in your sewing kit make fascinating but hazardous playthings, so put them out of reach. If you have trailing house plants, put them on a shelf high enough that a toddler can't pull the whole pot down on her head. Make sure heavy ornaments are well out of her reach.
Tips
- Never leave a child alone in the bath, however little water there is.
- Never leave a young child alone with an unguarded fire.
- Never assume that your child will be safe in someone else's home. Have a good look around to make sure.
- Never put household chemicals in old bottles or unmarked bottles.
- Make sure cleaning equipment and household chemicals are kept somewhere out of reach of children, including when they are in use.
- Never let a child play with a pet's bowl, bedding or litter tray. Children can catch worms from dogs and cats.