Here are just a few:
Risk of falling down the stairs
Getting burnt on the cooker or fire
Electric shock from the sockets and appliances
Burns from boiling/ hot water
Drowning in the bath/ pool/ toilet
Choking
Injury from falling objects
Poisoning from harmful chemicals
Suffocation
Being a new parent can be quite daunting and seem an endless worry with all these things to consider on top of all the sleepless nights and feeding, sterilising and dealing with any health issues that may crop up it is no wonder at times we take our eye off the ball and accidents happen.
Here are some simple steps to reduce the risk of accidents happening
Fit stair gates - not only on stairs but to rooms that may be easily accessible and pose danger such as the kitchen (burns, electrical items, cleaning products) or the bathroom (toilet - risk of drowning if lid up, cleaning products, drowning if water left in bath, burns from hot tap water) your little bundle will be rolling and crawling and become lightening quick before you know it so best to be prepared in advance.
Use cupboard/ door locks - keep the dangerous and harmful products locked away or better still up high out of reach, remember once they are mobile though, they are pretty good climbers, reaching something you thought out of reach! ensure tops are replaced properly on bottles/ containers
Use a fire guard - keep the little ones away from direct heat, ensure the fireguard is fitted and secured to the wall, always remember they are not designed to be climbed upon so keep children off them at all times
Use plug socket covers - these will avoid objects being poked into unused sockets by keeping them capped
Keep electrical wires out of reach where possible - reduce the risk of chewing on a wire!, playing with electrical appliances, and pulling appliances onto themselves by keeping the wire out of reach as much as possible.
Keep hot drinks/ liquids out of reach - ensure hot drinks are kept out of reach when freshly made, and taps are turned off properly to avoid burns from the hot water tap.
Never leave unsupervised in a bath or pool - if a baby slips or rolls and lands face down, he or she may not be able to turn over. Bathing seats or flotation devices may be used, but they don't protect against drowning and aren't a substitute for your attention. It takes very little water and time for a child to drown.
Place baby in correct sleep position - do not use a pillow under the baby's head it may cause suffocation, place a baby to sleep with feet at the bottom of the cot, use only the right amount of blankets needed for temperature of room to reduce risk of overheating.
Give food suitable for age/ development stage - Do not start weaning until your child is ready and can sit up unaided, ensure weaning food is appropriate and follow guidance from your health visitor, once more established ensure finger foods are soft and prepared suitably. Supervise eating at all times.
Rattan direct have created the following quiz to help you think about and identify potential hazards in your home. Take two minutes to have a look and potentially reduce the risks in your home
http://www.rattandirect.co.uk/blog/quiz-home-baby-safe/
