How to ensure your child is safe at home

A child playing with toys [iStockphoto]

The school holidays are here, and it is that time of year when parents experience tidal waves and heartaches. It can be chaotic. 

However, despite the “messy environment” holidays remain a great time to bond with your children, giving you a chance to “reconnect” with your childhood memories. However, one major concern is the safety of the children at home. 

This is especially so for working parents who have to leave their children under the care of a third party who may be grandparents, other relatives or house helps.

“When it comes to keeping children safe at home, many parents assume that home is the safest place, but research has indicated that for many children, the household can hide unexpected hazards,” says Catherine Erick, a family counsellor, author, and founder of Change Empire Centre. 

The author, who is passionate about children, teenagers, and young adults, says that nearly 60 per cent of childhood injuries occur within the home environment, which is why parents need to take measures to ensure that their children are safe while at home. 

According to the expert, home accidents involving children are a rising concern with such cases as falls, burns, and accidental poisoning ranking as the most common incidents in homes during school holidays. 

Tips for keeping children safe at home 

Keep dangerous electronics and appliances out of reach. Every home has multiple electronic devices and home appliances regardless of the size of the home or family. These items can be dangerous if left around carelessly or if children use them unsupervised. 

“Cords, cables, chargers, hot irons, kitchen appliances should be stored away from a child’s reach to avoid accidents,” says Jared Karongo, a parenting coach.

He advises parents with particularly young children to go for plug covers and keep electrical devices unplugged when not in use. Where possible, he adds, parents should set up designated areas for gadgets so children can move freely without the risk of injury. 

Kitchens and other designated cooking places especially those with gas cylinders and open flames are at high risk for fire accidents. Karongo advises parents to ensure regular maintenance of gas lines and appliances. 

“Install a child-proof gate at the entrance to the kitchen if children are too young to understand the risks associated with cooking appliances,” says the parenting coach. 

Safety measures for families with multiple members who may use the kitchen. He advises parents to make it a rule to turn off the gas and any cooking equipment immediately after use. The simple habit, he says, can prevent potential accidents and keep the home environment safer. 

Make the balcony and windows child-friendly. These, the coach says, can be serious risks for children. Balcony railings should be high enough that children cannot easily climb over, and spaces between bars should be narrow.

He advises parents to consider adding a safety net or screen. This is especially important if they have young children who like to explore. Stoppers that prevent children from being opened beyond a certain height should be installed. 

In large or joint families, all family members should be aware of the balcony restrictions so everyone can prevent accidents.

Ensure locks are childproof but accessible in emergencies. Children Coach Karongo advises parents to make sure that door and window locks are installed. This is especially so in a large and joint family where children may easily wander from one part of the home to another or outside.

He urges parents to install childproof locks on exterior doors and windows. This is an effective way to prevent children from wandering outdoors unsupervised. Installing child-safe locks on rooms like storage spaces or balconies prevents children from accidentally locking themselves in.

A safe neighbourhood has a positive impact on a child’s security. “If you are in a busy area, ensure that all doors remain locked, and talk to your children about boundaries for going outside."

Karonga advises parents with young children to choose neighbourhoods with lower crime rates and community watch groups where possible. He recommends that parents assign specific family members or appointed community members to monitor children when they play outside. 

"It is important, for parents to educate their children about being cautious with strangers as it is also important to set limits for outdoor play areas or places to visit and set timelines on what time to be out of the home. "

The parenting coach warns of the dangers when children live in joint families. “In a joint family setup, children benefit from being surrounded by extended family members such as aunts, cousins, nieces, uncles, and grandparents among other family members and so parents need to ensure that children are only in the company of close and trusted family members,” he says. 

He recommends that parents establish guidelines for supervising children, especially when guests are visiting. He advises parents to set up boundaries for rooms children can enter, especially when guests are around.