Safety in Your Home
 Medicines: Keep them out of the child's reach in a locked cupboard. The same goes for nonprescription and natural medicines. Also, ask overnight guests to keep their medicines secure.
Household chemicals: Store them out of the child's reach in a lockable cupboard. Keep them in their original containers so that they are clearly identified. Keep strict watch over the products as you use them, and always put them away, even if you leave the room for only a moment. Never leave residues of detergent in your dishwasher.
Stove: Always turn the handles of pans inward on the stove. Attach a saucepan guard, if available. Equip the stove with a tilt guard for safety should the child climb on the open oven door. The oven door itself should be equipped with a locking device. Could the child burn himself by touching the oven door? Then, attach a guard or a grating so that he cannot touch the hot door.
Dangerous household utensils: Knives, scissors, and dangerous appliances should be kept in cupboards or drawers with locks or catches or stored out of the child's reach. When you are using such utensils and temporarily put them aside, place them away from the edge of the table or counter, out of the child's reach. Matches and plastic bags are also dangerous items for small children.
Stairs: Fit gates, at least 30 inches [70-5 centimeters] high, at both ends of stairs.
Windows and balcony doors: Equip them with childproof safety catches or chains high up or some other safety device that prevents the child from opening them or squeezing through them when they are opened to air out the room.
Bookshelves: If the child likes to climb and hang on things, secure bookshelves and other tall furniture to the wall, to keep them from falling over.
Power outlets and electric cords: Outlets not in use must be equipped with some kind of lock. Cords for table lamps and the like should be attached to the wall or to furniture so that the child cannot pull down the lamp and be struck by it. Otherwise, take such lamps away. Never leave the electric iron on the ironing board, and do not let the cord hang down loose.
Hot water: If you can adjust the temperature of your hot water, you should put it down to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit [about 50 degrees Celsius] so that the child will not be scalded if he or she turns on the tap.
Toys: Discard toys with sharp edges or corners. Throw away small toys or toys that can be pulled into small pieces, as they can choke the child if put into the mouth. Eyes and noses on the child's teddy bears should be securely fixed. Teach older brothers and sisters to remove their small toys when the baby is on the floor.
Candy and snacks: Do not leave candy and snacks, such as peanuts or hard sweets, within reach. They could get stuck in a child's throat.
In Case of an Accident |
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Poisoning: If the child has swallowed some toxic liquid, rinse its mouth thoroughly and give it one or two glasses of water or milk to drink. Thereafter, call a doctor or a poison information center for advice. If the child has got something corrosive in its eye, immediately rinse with plenty of water for at least ten minutes.
Burns: For minor burns, apply cold (not too cold) water on the injury for at least 20 minutes. If the injury is bigger than the child's palm or is located on the face, a joint, or the lower abdomen or genitals, you should take the child to an emergency room. Deeper skin injuries must always be treated by a doctor.
Choking: If something has got stuck in the child's windpipe, it is most urgent that you get the object out quickly. One effective method you might resort to is the Heimlich maneuver. If you are not familiar with it, contact your doctor in order to get more information about this method, or attend a child-accident or first-aid course where this method is taught.
Source: The Swedish Red Cross
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