Keeping families safe throughout the home

Keeping families safe throughout the home

16 July 2014

THE Ballymote Centre in Downpatrick was the venue last week for a special event focusing on minimising hazards in the home.

The Safe Families event, organised by the Down Home Accident Prevention organisation, featured advice on home safety, car seat safety, first aid and fire safety, with potential dangers posed by blind cords outlined to people representing a range of organisations including SureStart and the Co. Down Rural Community Network.

They heard the majority of homes now have fitted blinds in their homes, with blinds also popular in many offices and other buildings. To reduce the risk to children posed by looped cords, including blind cords, the advice is to keep them out of children’s reach.

Parents, grandparents and child minders are advised to tie up the cords or use one of the many cleats, cord tidies, clips or ties that are currently available.

Cutting cords is not recommended, even as a short-term solution. It’s recommended that pull cords on curtains and blinds should be kept short and out of reach.

The importance of all parents, relatives and carers of young children to do a quick audit of their home and make sure any window blind cords are made safe was highlighted at last week’s event.

And a reminder was issued that horrific injuries can occur very quickly as a result of burns or scalds as children’s skin can be 15 times thinner than adults. It was also confirmed hair straighteners have become one of the leading causes of burns to children.

To prevent burns this, the advice is to always ensure straighteners are switched off after use, unplugged and put out of children’s reach. They should be stored in a safe place on a heat proof mat or in the heat pockets supplied. Never leave them unattended when in use.

To prevent falls the advice is to keep baby bouncers on the floor, use a five point safety harness on high chairs and always change a baby on the floor.

Children under six should sleep in a bottom bunk bed only, with gates fitted to stairs, both at the top and the bottom. Restrictor bars should be fitted to windows to stop children from falling out and move furniture such as beds and chairs away from windows to prevent children from climbing.

Fire safety tips include always carrying out your night-time fire safety check, never leave candles unattended, don’t overload electrical sockets, plan your escape route and know where to go and never let children play with matches or cigarette lighters.