When was the last time you crawled around your home on your hands and knees? As strange as it sounds, give it a go. Kids explore their everyday environments, so it's important to see things as they do to make sure your home is safe.
We often think of babies and toddlers when we hear the words "babyproofing" or "childproofing." And it's true that young kids have the highest risk of being injured at home because that's where they spend most of their time. But accidental injury is the leading cause of death in kids up to 14 years old — and more than a third of these injuries happen at home.
Here are some simple ways to help prevent injuries in your home.
Common causes of home-injury deaths are fire and burns, suffocation, drowning, choking, falls, poisoning, and guns.
Most household accidents happen in areas with:
You can make these places safer, but the most important safeguard is to watch young kids at all times. Even if your home is childproofed, it only takes an instant for babies and toddlers to fall, run over to a hot stove, or put the wrong thing in their mouths. Your watchfulness is your child's best defense.
However, accidents will still happen, so it's important to be prepared. If you're expecting a baby or have kids, it's wise to:
Reviewed by: KidsHealth Medical Experts