10 Things To Keep Your Child Safe

I hate talking about unpleasant things, especially childhood injury. The great thing though is most of them can be prevented with just a little effort.  Here are 10 Things To Keep Your Child Safe.

When I start thinking about child safety stats, my “mama bear” instinct takes over and I begin to shut down.  As mothers, we want to give our children a safe childhood.  Let’s face it though, kids can be clumsy, careless and irresponsible.  That can get themselves in some pretty sticky situations!  They are also incredibly resilient which should give us hope.   When we as parents put into effect well thought out safety guidelines we are able to affect the course of our child’s future.

While researching I found out information that surprised even me.  I thought that as a mother of 6 children I would have had child safety down pat but even I learned a few things.

Child Safety Stats

• * 500,000 under the age of 4 are injured in the home every year.
• * Fire is the greatest cause of accidental death. 46% of fatal accidents to children are caused by fire
• * 39% of all children’s accidents are from falling. 10 children die each year from falling through a window or off a balcony
• * The largest number of accidents are caused in the lounge/living area with the most serious accidents caused in the
• kitchen 30,000 children go to the emergency room with signs of poisoning – usually occurring from taking domestic cleaning substances.
• * 50,000 children under the age of 14 go to the emergency room because of burns or scalds.
• * 35,000 children under the age of 4 falls down the stairs each year
• * 3000 injuries are caused by tripping over piles of laundry /toys left on the floor.
• * 130,000 children are injured in the garden each year
• * 3% of toddlers die by drowning – in the bath, while swimming, by the sea and includes ponds in the garden
• * 107 children were killed and more than 5000 seriously injured as they crossed the road.
• * 191 children were killed in all road accidents.
•  * 2 million children face injury or death every year because their parents have not fitted their car safety seat correctly.
• * 82% of children under 14 years do not wear bicycle helmets

These stats were provided by Child Alert.

10 Things To Keep Your Child Safe

1. Purchase and install a Childproofing Kit in your own home. Make sure to include smoke detectors, gates, electrical and toilet protection devices as well as securing all furniture to reduce furniture tip-overs.
2. Do not leave your child unattended.  This rule prevents a whole host of problems.  Children through elementary school need adult supervision.  Don’t let anyone tell you differently.
3. No sleepovers, does that surprise you?  This as well as actively talking to your children about inappropriate touch and sexual abuse will actively diminish the chances of occurrence.  Add this rule to number 2 and you will make great headway.  Most sexual abuse is from an extended family member or family acquaintances.
4. Purchase an internet protection program and install it on all devices including your child’s cell phone. Here is another technology tip.  Teach your children to take off their headphones when crossing the street.
5. Always have your child (age appropriately) in a car seat or seatbelt when driving.  Here is another tip for transportation, this time for bike riding.  Have children wear a helmet and you too while we are at it.
6. Have a family fire escape plan and practice it.
7. Don’t have a pool.  This with number 2 will almost completely eliminate the chance of drowning.
8. Use only non-toxic cleaning products.
9. Get certified in CPR and train your children when they are 7 or 8 years old how to use it as well.  At the very least train them on how to call 911.
10. Remove choking hazards especially things like button batteries and toys.

I have to admit I am a worrier.  When I think about how to keep my child safe, my automatic response is to worry.  How about you?  We must do our part and leave the rest to God.  That is where faith comes in.  Coming to the point where we ultimately give our children and their futures to God.   This does not mean that we forfeit our responsibility to actively create a safe living environment.  Rather, we move past our fear into the fullness of faith in Jesus Christ.   This is no easy thing, it is not once done but rather a process of daily giving our child up to God’s protection.

YOUR TURN…

What are your tips for keeping your child safe?

Blessings,

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