Child injuries are mostly due to lack of supervision, negligence or failure to take appropriate safety measures. If children are not guided properly, they can get involved in incidents which risk their safety. Given below are 7 tips to keep kids safe.
1. Set Limits
If your kids are very young, you should not let them play beyond a confined space whether it is your backyard or playground. Set limits and teach them to ask permission if they want to play in another spot which is not within the play space. If you have staircases at home make sure you have a gate at the entrance of the staircase with a proper lock. This safety measure should be taken for toddlers who tend to explore their surroundings a lot. Similarly for babies, invest in a good baby playpen with appropriate safeguards.
2. Keep An Eye On The Weather
If it is rainy or very sunny make sure you take precautionary measures. While it is okay to let your kids play outside in case of light or moderate rainfall, it should be avoided in very heavy rain. Since your vision will be restricted in the case of heavy rain, you won’t be able to see what your kids are doing. They also risk catching hypothermia. However, in moderate conditions you can let your kids play outside with appropriate clothing like raincoats and boots. If it is sunny make sure your toddler is wearing sunscreen 15 minutes before being allowed outside. You should also reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.
3. Make Sure Playing Is Supervised
Very young children should not be left to play unsupervised. If you have toddlers, make sure they play in an area where you can monitor them from a safe distance. While you shouldn’t direct their play or interfere with their playing, you should keep a watch on them. In case of older children, you can let them play outside without continuous supervision as long as they report at the proper time. If your kids are playing at their friend’s house or backyard, make sure you inform their parents or any other concerned adults.
4. Give Your Children Playground Rules
You should give your children proper instructions regarding the way they should act and behave towards other people in the playground. Teach them how to play safely and to be careful when it comes to playground equipment like swings and monkey bars. You should also teach them not to push or hit each other and to wait for their turn if their preferred playground equipment is already in use.
5. Inspect The Play Area
You should thoroughly inspect the play area before kids play in it. Look out for any tripping hazards, dangerous equipment, pieces of glass, sharp objects or any other items which can potentially risk your child’s safety. If there are any slippery places like areas near puddles, tell your children to avoid running around them or near them. Even if the children are playing in your own backyard it doesn’t hurt to inspect it beforehand. In case of playgrounds make sure all the equipment is safe and there aren’t any broken or loose parts.
6. Tell Them To Maintain A Safe Distance From Strangers
It is always good to have an adult supervise your children. Make sure your children know who they should trust and rely on. Give them a list of authorities who they can talk to in case they feel doubtful or hesitant about someone. You should also teach them to be careful about children who are much older than them and to report immediately in case of bullying.
7. Assign Appropriate Safety Gear
Make sure your older kids don’t participate in activities like skateboarding and cycling without appropriate safety gear. Helmets should be strictly enforced since head injuries are very common in children due to negligence and lack of safety measures. If it is their first time riding a bike or trying out roller skates, assign other gear like knee and elbow pads.
Conclusion
It is important to train your babies or kids while they are still young so they won’t forget to be cautious when they are older. Teach them to be mindful and careful about their surroundings. However, make sure they are still allowed to explore their surroundings without restricting them too much.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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