With the spring cleaning season upon us, The Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper offers these tips to help you keep your home safe for children:
Around the House
- Spring CleaningMake sure small parts, plastic bags, small toys, balloons or any other choking hazards are out of reach of young children, particularly those less than 36 months of age.
- Check you home for recalled and banned children’s products. To find out about recalled products, go to www.recalls.gov.
- Time to move furniture? Place cribs, playpens and other furniture away from windows and drapery cords. Children can climb up on furniture and fall out of the window or get strangled in the cords.
- Make sure window guards or bars are secure and know how to open the window in case of fire. Screens do not prevent window falls.
- Post the Poison Help Line number (1-800-222-1222) and your pediatrician’s phone number on all of the phones in your house.
- Test all your smoke alarms to ensure they are working. Change the batteries at least once every year. Most smoke alarms also need “spring cleaning” maintenance. Check your manual.
In the Garage
- When washing the car, clean the car safety seat as well. Sticky snacks, crumbs and spilled drinks can interfere with the crotch buckle and chest clip. Use the instructions to find out how to remove the cover and clean these parts. Also remember to weigh and measure your children to make sure they still fit in the seat. Check that the shoulder straps are the right height. Be sure the seat is installed securely.
In the Yard
- Most yard clean-up tools – ladders, weed-eaters, pruning shears – are not safe for children. If your children want to help in the yard, they should use tools designed for children, such as small plastic rakes, shovels or brooms.
- Do not allow children to ride as passengers on lawn mowers or be towed behind mowers in carts or trailers. Do not permit children to play on or around the mower when it is in use or in storage.