Fredericksburg Parent

20 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • November 2020 WRITTEN BY RHIANNON ELLIS ages & stages Home. It's our sanctuary and our safe place. It's where we start and end each day. Home is where we make memories, celebrate holidays and raise families. We work hard to provide a roof over our heads, and it has o en been said when it comes to "Home Sweet Home" that, well, there's no place like it. However, lurking inside our houses are a mul tude of ways the youngest amongst us can become injured. Given the sheer amount of poten al dangers, parents of young children may feel overwhelmed, but with a few adjustments and some due diligence, a safeguarded home is achievable. Facing Young Children Falls Most falls result in minor injuries, such as scrapes and bruises, but broken bones and head trauma are not uncommon. There are a number of safety measures to consider simply because falls can take place almost anywhere. Good fall preven on includes: • Securing steps and staircases with safety gates; • Removing clu er from stairs; • Keeping toys, clothing and shoes off the fl oor; • Wiping up water from bathroom fl oors; • and avoiding using bulky rugs that are easily tripped over. It's also prudent to teach children from a young age not to run in the house or play/climb on furniture. Which leads to our next poten al hazard… Furniture Tall dressers are notoriously top heavy and prone to pping over when mul ple drawers are opened simultaneously. Young children can be seriously injured, even suff ocated, as a result. All tall furniture should be fastened to the wall using straps and anchors. TV's also present a pping hazard and should be secured on their stands or to a wall. Home Home Hazards Hazards 20 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • November 2020 Julian Parker riding his bike with full safety gear. Photo taken by M&JPhotography.

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