When we think about “childproofing” at home, we tend to think of making spaces safer for babies and toddlers by putting up baby gates and installing latches on cabinets. But it turns out, it’s just as important to make sure our kids’ rooms are safe as they get older, especially since experts point out that one of the most common places kids get hurt is at home.
“Safety in the home is critical because accidents happen quickly, and the home is where children spend most of their time,” explains Dr. Brad Sobolewski, emergency medicine physician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. “Simple adjustments … can go a long way in preventing a trip to the emergency department.”
These are some unexpected items that might not seem dangerous, but ER pediatricians say they wouldn’t allow them in kids' bedrooms.
- Unsecured dressers, bookshelves and mirrors - Little kids love to climb, which can lead to furniture falling over on them if it’s not properly mounted to the wall. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, around 64-hundred kids, on average, are treated in the ER from furniture tip-overs every year in the U.S.
- Toy chests with heavy lids - They’re great for stashing toys and stuffed animals, but heavy, hinged lids can fall unexpectedly or kids can get trapped inside and risk suffocation if they can’t get out.
- Long, loose cords - “A sad and frequently accidental injury … is strangulation from window blinds,” says Dr. Anita Patel, critical care specialist at Children’s National Hospital. Long electrical cords can be dangerous, too, as kids can get tangled up in them and get injured.
- Bunk beds - Parents love them for maximizing space, especially when kids are sharing a room, but they can be risky because of injuries from falls. To make them safer, put bunk beds in the corner so there are two walls around it, and make sure there are guardrails on both sides of the top bunk.
- Electric heaters or space heaters - These are a fire hazard, especially in a child’s room. Young kids could knock them over, put flammable items, like blankets nearby, and burn themselves, too.
- Floor lamps - They can get knocked over easily, especially if kids are running around and climbing, which they tend to do a lot.
- Weighted blankets - Some swear by them for improving sleep and helping with anxiety, but they can restrict movement and can pose a suffocation risk, especially for kids under five.
Source: HuffPost