An educational guide: How to keep your home a safe haven for your kids
Health Promotion and Prevention Education NURS 440 Kristine Blaire, Vina Guerro, Amanda Rupp, Brittany Yanez, Yvonne Caballero Group 36
Being a Parent As a parent, all we want is to have happy healthy children. Our job is to protect our children and keep them out of harm’s way. The problem is, we may be exposing them to danger every day and not even be aware of it. A home is a family's “safe haven,” but often times, can actually be a very dangerous place for young children. Our goal is to help you get your home safe so that you can protect your little ones from hazards that could injure them or even worse cause death.
• Babies who are 12 months or younger can be at risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Though SIDS cannot always be prevented, there are some ways to decrease your baby’s risk:
Sleeping
• Place you baby on their back to sleep. • Use a firm mattress, and remove any loose items from the crib (bumpers, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, toys, ect.).
Safe
• Don’t co-sleep, or allow you baby to fall asleep in your bed. • Make sure you don’t smoke around your baby, or expose them to any second-hand smoke.
Safe http://www.myflfamilies.com/se rvice-programs/child-welfare/saf esleep/caregivers
• The baby should sleep in your room, but not in your bed.
• Allow for you baby to sleep in a room with good airflow and ventilation.
Unsafe
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2328048/S udden-infant-death-Risk-times-higher-baby-sleeps -parents-bed.html
Securing your Furniture Every two week a child dies from a piece of furniture falling over on them (United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2016) • The most common furniture tip-overs are caused by televisions (Safe Kids Worldwide, 2016). • Anchor heavy dressers and bookshelves to wall. • Remove tempting items, that may cause your child to climb a piece of furniture. • Use anchor straps to secure your television. • Protect sharp corners of furniture with foam coverings.
Electrical Safety Electrical outlets are extremely dangerous for children. SAFETY TIPS: ✓ Unplug and store electrical items when they are not in use. ✓ Cover outlets with outlet covers ✓ Conceal cords ✓ Hide your surge protectors
Prevent Accidental Poisoning at Home • Keep medicines out of reach of children. • Store chemical and cleaning supplies in upper locked cabinets. • Lock all lower, kid accessible cabinets with child proof security latches. • Teach young children the dangers of ingesting non food items. • Have the Poison Control phone number accessible in your home.
Car Seats and Child Safety Car seats purpose: Baby’s anatomy consist of heavy heads and delicate necks. During a vehicle collision, the young child’s spinal column can extend and potentially cause severe injury to the infant. Statistics show children under 2 years of age are 75% less likely to have major injuries when driving rear view.
Pool Safety • Be sure pools and spas have a fence around them and a power safety cover when not in use • Make sure gates are locked and high enough that the child • cannot reach them • Keep rescue equipment near the pool • Become CPR certified • Swimming classes are essential • Store pool supplies in a locked • area
Safety with Dogs • Teach children safety with dogs such as not taking the dogs toy from their mouth and not taking the dogs food • Keep the dog in a safe area away from the baby if the dog shows any signs of aggression • Make sure the dog and child • have interactions that are positive • Teach children not to approach any dogs • that are not their own
Safety Tips While Using Car Seats ·
It is important to ensure that the child’s age, size, that the car seat fits appropriately on the vehicle when choosing the car seat and attempt to refer to the manufacturer’s manual if possible.
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Parent guardians should attempt to keep the child in the back seat of the vehicle at least through the age of 12.
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Parent guardians must know that as the child ages the car seats will change and need to accommodate accordingly to promote safety. The car seat should be appropriately strapped before driving off.
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Parent guardians should know that safety protocols are updated regularly so research of what is the best method will be helpful
Regulations: •Birth to 12 months: Young children between the age range should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. •1-3 years of age: Essential to keep child rear-facing if possible to promote safety. It is recommended to keep the child in a rear-facing seat until the child reaches the top height or weight limited via car seats manufacture. ➢ Once the child outgrows the seat then they can begin to travel on a forward-facing seat with harness and tether.
High Chairs Used to help position an infant in a position where they could be fed or play safely. High chairs often have seat belt to prevent the child from falling. • Ensure the high chair will not tip over • The high chair should be locked every time it is set up and never leave the child alone • When the child is placed on the chair, ensure the straps are all in place such as the crotch strap to keep young child from slipping off chair. • Never allow the child to stand on the high chair. • Never put the high chair near a counter because the child may push hard enough against a surface and tip the high chair over. • Never allow older children to climb or play with the high chair because it can tip over.
HealthyChildren.org. (2017)
Are Walkers Safe? It is highly recommended for parent guardians to avoid walkers in children younger than 4 years of age here is why: • Leading cause of injury in children under 4 years of age. • The height/speed is likely to increase the young child’s ability to reach stove tops. • Young children can fall into fireplaces, swimming pools and downstairs. • Walkers have not been proven to assist infants with Alternatives walking.
for
walker: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Stationary activities Baby swings High chairs Playpens
Feeding Safety •
As a toddler, your child is starting to transition from breast milk to real food. It is important that your toddler receives all the nutrients that they need for growth and development.
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Feed your children small bites. Do not feed a crying child so as to prevent choking.
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Allow your child to feed themselves. At this stage, your child can grasp food from the table. Ensure that the finger foods that you offer are safe and are not a choking hazard. Small portions should be presented and supervise meals.
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Assess for food allergies. Immediately contact your provider if you notice your child starting to cough and having trouble breathing. This could be a reaction to the food and may block their airway which is a medical emergency.
Feeding Your 1- to 2-Year-Old. Kidshealth.org. Retrieved from https://http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/feed12yr
Foods to AVOID Choking Hazard
• hotdogs
• round, hard candies
• whole grapes
• seeds
• cherry tomatoes
• marshmallow
• nuts
• raw carrots, celery, or beans
• gum
• popcorn
• cherries
• peanut butter
(HealthyChildren.org, 2017)
Nutritional Safety •
It is important that your child receives all the nutrients their body requires as they develop.
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Providing consistent meals throughout the day lays the foundation for healthy eating habits by setting the groundwork for meals and snacks.
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“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children stay on whole milk until they are two years of age—unless there is a reason to switch a baby to low-fat milk sooner” (Healthychildren.org, 2017).
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Parents are in control of their child’s nutrition therefore providing them healthy meals and snacks are dependent on your choices. Offer varied food choices so as to not limit your child’s preferences and to provide all the nutrients they can receive from fruits, vegetable and protein.
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Follow your prescribers recommendations, when to limit sugar intake and if your child needs more caloric intake because of low weight.
What If My Child Is Sick? • Your toddler’s immune system is growing and developing every day. • Bacteria and viruses are difficult to avoid. Because of this fact, toddlers often become sick. (CDC, 2015)
What If My Child Is Sick? •During colds, flu's, and other infections it is important to: •
Keep your child hydrated. Encourage fluids through foods and drinks to help prevent dehydration
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A healthy diet will boost the immune system.
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A cool, damp washcloth can be used on your child’s forehead to break a fever.
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Use medications as directed by the child’s doctor
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Provide extra TLC
(CDC, 2015)
When to Call the Doctor • When in doubt, call your child’s pediatrician.
• The medical doctor and their staff are caring medical professionals who will guide you through caring for your sick child.
(CDC, 2015)
When to Call the Doctor • Call the primary care doctor when your child: • • • • •
Has a temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit Multiple days of diarrhea or vomiting Changes in appetite Fatigue or irritability Discharge from eyes
(CDC, 2015)
When to Call 911 Call 911 if your child has: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Difficulty breathing Ingested a poisonous substance Seizure or loss of consciousness Skin or lips that are blue/purple
(CDC, 2015)
References Baby Walker Safety :: Nationwide Children's Hospital. (2017, May 8). Retrieved from http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/baby-walker-safety Car Seats | Parents Central | Keeping Kids Safe. (2017, May 9). Retrieved from https://www.safercar.gov/parents/carseats/right-seat-age-and-size-recommendations.htm?view=full Center for Disease Control (CDC), (2015) Infants & Toddlers (Approximate Ages 0-3). Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/parents/infants/index.html Daily mail reporter. (2013). Sudden infant death risk 'is five times higher if the baby sleeps in its parents’ bed. Retrieved from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2328048/Sudden-infant-death-Risk-times-higher-baby-sleeps-parents-bed.html#ixzz4gkR81Cu K Dog Bite Prevention Information For Parents. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2017, from http://www.doggonesafe.com/Dog_bite_prevention_for_parents HealthyChildren.org. (2017). Feeding & Nutrition Tips: You 2-Year-Old. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/toddler/nutrition/Pages/Feeding-and-Nutrition-Your-Two-Year-Old.aspx
References HealthyChildren.org. (2017). 6 Quick High Chair Safety Tips. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/High-Chair-Safety-Tips.aspx
Kidshealth.org. (2017). Feeding Your 1- to 2-Year-Old. Retrieved from https://http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/feed12yr.html
Safe Kids Worldwide. (2016). TV and furniture tip-overs. Retrieved from: https://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/tv-and-furniture-tip-overs United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. (2016). Tip-over dangers. Retrieved from: https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/furniture-furnishings-and-decorations/1-child-dies-every-two-weeks United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. (2016). Tip-over dangers. Retrieved from: https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/furniture-furnishings-and-decorations/1-child-dies-every-two-weeks What to expect: Swimming Pool Safety. (2017). Retrieved May 11, 2017, from http://www.whattoexpect.com/toddler/ask-heidi/pool-safety.aspx