COVID-19: Protecting Kids While at Home
During this time of disrupted schedules, caregivers are juggling responsibilities for work and children at the same time, presenting the potential for injury.
Steps to reduce risks
Safe Kids Fayette County shares these steps parents and caregivers can take to help reduce these risks:
- Keep hazards out of reach. Store household chemicals, hand sanitizers, medications, alcohol and cosmetic products up high – out of sight and out of reach.
- Install safety products. All those child safety products you bought (cabinet locks, furniture anchors, TV straps) but never installed – now is a GREAT time to get those set up.
- Follow the ABCs of safe sleep. Alone, on back, in crib to meet federal standards. No inclined sleepers or bumper pads.
- Get out of the house. Ride a bike with a properly fitted helmet.
- Practice home fire drills. Change smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector/alarm batteries.
- Store firearms securely and out of reach.
- Keep vehicles locked and keys/fobs out of reach.
- Organize toys. Separate toys by age and keep a sharp eye on small game pieces and button batteries that may be a hazard.
- Eliminate choking hazards. If it can fit in a toilet paper roll, it is too small for kids under age 3.
- Purge old toys. Before selling or giving away, search recalls.gov for unsafe or recalled toys.
- Keep windows out of reach. When opening windows, do not open more than 4 inches and move bed/crib 3 feet away.
- Keep kids busy. Kids who are bored will start to explore. Supervision is of utmost importance.
With COVID-19 creating challenges for our healthcare systems, it is more important than ever to keep safe and out of the hospital.