For many people, home is a place that they feel safe, happy, and protected. But even so, it’s important to be aware that there are dangers in places that we may least expect. This is especially true when you have children that are often unaware of their surroundings.
Whether you have young children in your home or you plan on having guests over this summer, it’s crucial that you take steps to accident-proof your home and reduce the risk of child head injuries. Here are some simple yet effective tips that you can implement!
Window Locks and Latches
Toddlers love to explore the outdoors, so you should take precautions in order to prevent them from accessing open windows, falling out, and sustaining serious or even fatal head injuries. Window screens are often no match for the weight of even a small child, so consider installing removable window locks or guards that limit a window’s opening.
Additionally, plan strategically which windows you open and where you place furniture. For instance, if you have top and bottom windows, only open the top ones that are out of reach for young children. Additionally, keep furniture that can be climbed up away from open windows.
Baby Gates for Stairs
Stairs are one of the most common causes of at-home falls for young children. This often occurs when toddlers are between the stages of crawling and walking. To prevent these incidences, use sliding gates at the bottom and top of your staircases in order to both prevent your child from falling from the top and climbing up.
When buying baby gates for your home, make sure to do your research. You should buy ones that have openings no bigger than 2.3 inches so that children’s heads don’t get caught in between the gate bars.
Secure Rugs
Unsecured rugs can be a tripping hazard for anyone, but they are especially risky for young children and toddlers who may not be coordinated enough to stay balanced or catch themselves before falling.
Ensure that all rugs are fixed firmly to the floor so they won’t slip when walked on. At most stores, you can purchase non-slip strips to put on tile and wooden floors to hold down the rugs. Additionally, you will want to ensure that all children are supervised when they are on hard surfaces, such as hardwood floors or concrete.
Check Your Pool Area
Swimming pools offer great relief from the hot California sun, but they should only be used when the proper safety precautions are taken. If you have a pool in your backyard, make sure that it is surrounded by a four-sided barrier, such as a fence or a gate. This way, children are out of harm’s way and won’t have the risk of slipping on wet concrete while outside or accidentally falling inside of the pool.
We Are Here If You Need Us
We hope that these tips help your family and your guests stay safe during the summer months and all year round. With that said, should you or a loved one be injured on another person’s property at any point in time, you may have legal grounds to file a premises liability claim against the property owner’s homeowners insurance.
Learn more about your potential legal options by calling Effres & Effres at (818) 222-9720 today! We have over 30 years of experience fighting for those injured across Southern California and are ready to help you get your life back on track.