Ensuring child safety starts by identifying possible risks and taking necessary actions to prevent them. Along with supervision, a safe environment, and knowing first aid, you can keep your child safe at all times.
The Importance Of Child Safety
The fact is all responsible parents are concerned about their child’s safety. Childhood accidents and injuries can occur all of a sudden, and while some hazards are obvious, others are not easily identified. Therefore, we must all take child safety measures whether at the house, car, school, playground, or anywhere.
No matter how we stay vigilant when it comes to our child’s safety, accidents and injuries still happen. The good news is many of these are preventable, and the more you know about common precautions and first aid, the safer your little one will be.
A Safety Checklist For Parents
Since accidental injuries are the leading cause of hospitalisation and unexpected death for children, we’ve put together a comprehensive checklist to keep them safe in all possible scenarios.
Home Safety
- Babyproof your home by covering sharp edges on furniture and installing safety latches, gates, and door locks.
- Have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for unexpected fires.
- Keep electrical cords out of children’s reach.
- Remove any small objects that could cause choking.
- Ensure that ponds and swimming pools at home are surrounded by fences with a locking safety gate.
Bathroom Safety
- Always keep the child within arm’s reach during bath time to prevent drowning.
- Test bath temperature before use.
- Razors and other sharp objects must be locked away from the child’s reach.
- Medicine, cosmetics, and bathroom product must be stored in a safe location, away from the reach of children (poison risk).
Car Safety
- Choose the right car seat for their age and have it properly installed.
- Make sure your child is safely buckled in every time they are in the car.
- Learn and use good defensive driving habits.
Kitchen And Dining Safety
- Keep chairs and step tools away from the counter, sink, microwave, and stove.
- All sharp utensils (knives, scissors, etc.) must be stored in a secured drawer.
- Appliance cords must be out of the child’s reach.
- Watch out for hot drinks and liquids to prevent burns.
- Fire blankets and fire extinguishers should be ready to use.
School Safety
- Learn the school’s emergency procedures
- Know and follow school security and safety measures
- Talk with your child about possible accidents and what steps to take in case it happens.
- Inform school staff about your child’s health and emotional concerns.
Playground Safety
- Check for sharp points or edges in equipment such as trampolines that can harm your child.
- Watch out for potential tripping hazards (e.g. exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, etc.)
- All elevated surfaces must have guard rails to prevent falls.
- Always supervise children on the playground, particularly the small ones, to ensure their safety.
Prepare For Emergencies
Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in your home, car, or anywhere your child spends the most time. Be sure to refresh expired items regularly.
Write down emergency phone numbers, such as doctors, fire department, local poison control, and triple zero (000). Place a copy close to the phone and teach older children how and when to call emergency services.
It is also a good idea to do first aid and CPR training to know how to attend to emergencies relating to your child. First aid renewal is recommended every three years, and CPR training refresher every 12 months. You can do training with trusted RTOs in Australia, like First Aid Pro.
Conclusion
Keep your children safe anytime, anywhere. Use the checklist above for extra precaution and learn first aid to know how to attend to child-related emergencies.
For more information, visit our course page or get in touch with our team.
