When dealing with the concepts of "occupational health and safety" that enter our lives in the workplace for many people, mostly only the dangers in the workplace and the negative conditions that affect their health remain in mind.
However, health and safety risks appear in every moment of our lives "at home, on the road, at work".
About 6,000 people die each year in the UK due to home accidents. There is no comprehensive research on life safety in Turkey, but we cannot say that the picture is better than England or Europe. The dangers that surround our home pose a greater risk, especially to children.
87% of home accident notifications made to 112 emergency services are due to child accidents. Fortunately, many dangerous situations can be eliminated and with minor improvements, we can prevent our loved ones from being harmed.
What precautions can we take for our children at home?
Security measures to be taken in the kitchen;
1 – Keep the cabinets or drawers where you put sharp and piercing objects such as cutlery, knives, scissors, locked! If you can't lock it, put it out of reach of children.
2 – Do not leave pots, boiling milk, or teapots on the hob! Perform the operations at the bottom of the quarry, which is the most difficult to reach.
3 – Do not leave flammable or combustible materials such as lighters and matches in the open! These types of materials can cause ignition and fire in the house. For this reason, it should be kept out of reach or in locked cabinets.
4 – Dispose of chemicals that may be poisoned! Always keep the chemicals used in the kitchen through cleaning or the suffocating and lethal liquids in closed cabinets.
5- Decorations or magnets on the refrigerator are very small and dangerous! Do not use for a while!
6 – Glass bottles, vases, plates, medical drugs, etc. in the refrigerator. put elements in fixed bays. If not possible, make it difficult to unfold!
In summary, although security measures are taken in the kitchen, it should not be forgotten that there are always dangerous areas for our children, and special child safety products should be used in each compartment and section.
7-You can use a simple gas detector in the kitchen.
Precautions to be taken in bathrooms, bathtubs, pools and toilets
1 – Children should not be left alone, even next to a tub, pool or even a bucket filled with water.
2 – Check the temperature of the shower water in which you will wash your child with your hand and make sure that it is not too much.
3 – Do not leave appliances such as water heater, hair dryer, shaving razor and machine, hair straightener unattended outside.
4 – Make-up materials, perfumes, etc., which especially girls are curious about from their mothers. Keep chemicals out of reach of your children.
Security measures to be taken in sleeping areas
1 – Create a natural and simple sleeping area for your child as much as possible.
2 – Care should be taken that lead-based paint is not used in the bed furniture, and it should be questioned during purchase. The width of the railings on the side should not be more than 6 cm.
3 – Window, lamp and socket circles should not be chosen in bed selection.
Safety measures for children in other parts of the house or outside
1 – Review the electrical details in your home, starting with the sockets. Pay attention to the electrical cords in the house, do not ignore the possibility of picking the cord of a plugged-in appliance in your mouth or sticking your finger in an open outlet.
2 – If you live in a duplex or a detached house with stairs, you urgently need to have a protective set or door made in front of the stairs! Otherwise, you will have to run after your child who is constantly on the move around the house. The accident that will occur as a result of a momentary oversight may be beyond predictable.
3 – The first case of fatal child home accidents occurs as a result of children hanging from the balcony or open window. For this reason, if a window is to be left open, it must be controlled, and protection or mesh measures must be taken on the balconies.
4 – Be sure to cover the sharp edges of household items such as coffee tables and tables with a protector.
5 – Bookcases, cabinets or shelves, etc., which are at risk of falling in your home. Be sure to fix the items.
6- Do not put toys in high places.
7- Prevent toys from being scattered on the floor
Finally, do not forget that most of the home accidents that our children have in or around the home occur when their parents are with them. Families need to be more disciplined and controlled in this regard.
At the beginning of the issues that push parents to make this mistake are factors such as inattention, fatigue, stress, and misunderstandings in task sharing. A proactive approach should be taken in the prevention of home accidents. At least at home, you can start by asking yourself the following question;
“What would I do if I were a baby?”
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