Home is the most common place for young children to be injured, yet most
accidents are preventable. Measures such as keeping poisons out of reach
or installing stair gates can greatly reduce the chance of accidents. Of
course, nothing beats keeping a close eye on kids!
Safe homes
One of the best ways to prevent childhood
accidents is to embed safety features into
your home when it is built. Rearranging the
layout of existing rooms can also be very
effective.
Some of the most serious falls in the home
are from stairs and furniture. In a double-
storey home, install a full-length handrail
along both sides of the stairs. If you have
young children, install gates at stair openings
and try to keep stairs clutter-free.
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Use slip-resistant flooring throughout
your home. Anchor floor rugs with rubber
matting or anti-skid coating.
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Think carefully about where to place
light switches. A two-way control switch
at the top and bottom of your stairs,
for example, can prevent night-time
accidents.
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Mark glass doors using stickers or safety
strips so people know if they are open or
closed. Place the marks at 700 mm so
toddlers and small children can see them.
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Use child-resistant locks on windows and
doors, particularly those upstairs.
Backyard safety
Outdoor play is an essential part of growing
up. Let your kids’ imaginations run wild in
the safety of your own backyard.
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Choose child-friendly plants for your
garden. Even common plants like azaleas
and poinsettias can poison toddlers if
eaten. Remove twigs and branches from
children’s eye level.
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Keep play areas separate and away from
the driveway.
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Play equipment should be solid, with
no trapping spaces, and must meet
Australian Standards. Place sand, lawn
or another soft surface beneath swings
to soften falls. Check regularly for loose
bolts, frayed ropes and broken wires and
repair them immediately.
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Ideally, sheds and garages where
chemicals and tools are stored should
have a self-closing door and generally be
locked.
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Family pets should have a sleeping and
feeding area unable to be accessed by
young children.
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Make your street number clear and visible
so emergency vehicles can find you easily
in an emergency.
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