Children's Safety Flashcards
When are accidents most likely to happen ?
- At times of stress
- When parents are less alert
- Children who are under or over protected
- Children who are neglected or abused
What are examples of the biggest threats to child safety
- electricals
- cleaning products
-medicines - sharp objects
- stairs
- choking
- doors/ cupboards
- bath
- plastic bags
What are the dangers of plastic bags for a small child
There is a danger of suffocation if a plastic bag is put over the head. Plastic material is airtight and clings to warm surfaces making it hard to remove from over the head
What are the dangers of small hard objects to an infant and what would some of the problem small objects be in the home
Small objects can cause choking if swallowed and choking is one of the most common accidents in infancy because babies put everything in their mouths. Some dangerous small items include pen lids, batteries, coins, small toys , grapes, pills and batteries
What are the dangers of medicines to a small child and what safety measures can be done to prevent accidents
They can be poisonous and should be locked away in a cabinet that needs adult hands to open. Keep pills and tablets in child-resistant containers as things like blister or strip packs make it less easy for a child to swallow lots of pills at once. On the other hand children may find these packs attractive to play with, especially if they see adults using them
How can poisons be a danger to children, what are some examples of poisons and how can safety be ensured
Poisonous substances include cleaning products, alcohol, weed killers and other garden chemicals as well as berries of a number of plants. Never use empty drinks bottles to store poisonous liquids to avoid them being drunk by accident. Keep all chemicals out of reach and locked away from children.
Some examples include weed killers, detergents, bleach, alcohol, washing capsules etc
What sharp objects may be a danger to children in the house and why
There are numerous sharp objects found in the average home like sharp knives, scissors and needles. They should always be kept out of reach of young children to avoid cuts and accidents
What sharp objects may be a danger to children in the house and why
There are numerous sharp objects found in the average home like sharp knives, scissors and needles. They should always be kept out of reach of young children to avoid cuts and accidents
What inflammable items may be dangerous for small children
Matches, lighters, petrol, paraffin and fireworks should all be stored where children cannot reach them
What are dangerous situations that toddlers can face in the home and why
As toddlers, children are able to move around but are not yet old enough to understand safety.
What is the function of stair gates and safety gates
- They prevent young children from wandering to parts of the house which the parents or carers consider dangerous
- mostly fitted at the top and bottom of the stairs and across the kitchen doorway as it is the most dangerous room in the house
- safety gates should have locks and bars which they cannot get their heads, hand or feet trapped in. It should also be too high for a small child to climb over. If a child was to climb over the barrier at the top of the stairs the fall can be much more serious than a simple fall down the stairs
What are some points that should be considered when buying a stair gate
- how many you will need
- measure the gap at the narrowest point
- make sure it opens away from the stairs
Young children should be kept away from electrical equipment and supplies due to the risk of …
- Electric shock
- Injuries from moving parts
- Fire hazards
- burns
How can a child be at risk from electric items, how can you prevent it
- If electrical equipment is damaged, if worn and damaged wires or live wires are touched it can give electric shocks
- modern electrical sockets are designed to prevent tiny fingers or small objects fitting inside but safety socket covers are also available
- electrical equipment should never be touched wet as this increases risk of electric shock
- trailing leads and wires can be dangerous as children can trip over them or warp wires around their necks
How can a child be at danger of injury from moving parts
- Items such as electric mixers and blenders can cause nasty accidents if a child got in reach of them
- Blind cords are also a particular concern as they can wrap easily around children’s necks causing suffocation
What equipment can be a fire hazard to children
Electric irons are an example of equipment which if misused can be the cause of fire
What can cause burns to a child and why
Things like electric cookers, heaters, straighteners, kettles and irons can cause severe burns or scalds as young children’s skin is very thin so they can suffer painful burns more easily
What are the dangers of fire for children
The danger of fire is that children could burn themselves or some action that they take either accidentally or in play, could cause furniture or the building to catch fire
What measurement should be taken to prevent accidents with fire
Fireguards should be put in front of open fires and they should be
- strong and sturdy and have a cover on top
- have no sharp edges
- be firmly fixed to the wall by hooks that can’t be undone
- have a small mesh to prevent a baby pushing arms or toys through it
What measurements can be taken to ensure sun protection on the beach
- Sun safety- wear a hat, sunscreen, long sleeved top to prevent sunburn
- Encourage the child to sit in the shade between 12 - 3pm to avoid burns
What in regards to baby clothing should be worn to ensure safety on the beach
- Encourage the child to wear flipflops or watershoes to prevent cuts from glass or sharp stones
- Encourage the child to wear bright colours so that they can be easily spotted by their parents if they are in danger
What in regards to water safety can be done to ensure safety on the beach
- make sure the child swims within the red flagged area where a lifeguard is on duty
- do not let the child go in the water without adult supervision as the child may drown or get pushed over by a wave
What general safety tips can be done to ensure safety on the beach
- choose a clean spot to set up for the day and have a blanket to sit on to prevent cuts from sharp shells or debris
- secure the area with a wind breaker so that the child can play in a supervised area
- offer drinks often to prevent dehydration
- ensure all BBQs are carefully extinguished to prevent burns
What steps can be taken to help keep children safe in the car
- Shut doors with care to prevent trapping children’s fingers
- don’t let children sit in the boot of an estate or hatchback car
- keep children in control with books, songs or toys so they do not distract the driver
- Have child safety locks on doors
- ensure they are sitting in the appropriate seat for their age and that they have seatbelts on at all times
What does the current seatbelt law state
The current seatbelt law stated that -
- The driver is responsible for seeing that a child in the car wears an appropriate child restraint
- The child must not sit on the lap of an adult travelling in the front of the vehicle
What are the car seat regulations?
- A car seat must be suitable for a child’s age, weight and height
- All children under 3 must travel in either a rear facing or forward facing car seat which is properly fitted.
- The car seat must be rear facing until the child is more than 15 months old
- It’s illegal for a child to sit in a rear facing car seat in the front passenger seat if the front passenger airbag is active. It must be deactivated.
- The child should be strapped into the car seat with a 5- point harness
- Only EU approved car seats can be used in the UK, they should have a label showing a capital E in a circle
- All older children must travel in a car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 cm tall
Why do difficulties arise while crossing the road for young children?
- They are small in size so cannot see over parked cars
- They do not remember instructions for very long
- They have not yet learnt to be good judges of distance or speed at which vehicles are traveling
- They don’t understand how traffic behaves
- Their minds are occupied by other matters
How can parents help children learn about road safety ?
- They can set a good example by crossing the road carefully and looking both ways and listening for traffic or using pedestrian crossings
- They can use walking reins or wrist straps for toddlers
- Not let children out by themselves
- Insist that a young child holds a parents hand
- Make sure children can be seen well - when out in the dark they should always wear reflective clothing
- Make sure the child knows the Green Cross Code - Stop, Look and Listen
What should be taught to children under 5 in regards to road safety
- from the time that children can walk, they need to be taught that pavements are for people and that roads are for traffic
- Adults with children need to set a good example when they cross roads correctly
- Adults should talk to children about stopping at the kerb and looking and listening to traffic before crossing the road
What should be taught to children who are 5-6 years old about road safety
- The risk of road accidents increases when children start school.
- They are not yet old enough to be out on the roads by themselves and should be taken to and collected from school
- They have reached the stage when they begin to learn how to cross quiet roads on their own
- They will need to be taught and then frequently reminded of the green cross code
What should children from ages 7- 9 know and be taught around road safety
- Children over the age of 7 should be able to cross roads alone
- They should now learn, understand and remember the Green Cross Code and when they have done so, they will be better able to cross roads safely
What age is recommended that a child be to ride a bike supervised by an adult
It is recommended that a child under 9 years of age does not ride a bike unless supervised by an adult
What are some key safety tips for riding bicycles
- Always wear a helmet
- Have stabilisers
- Have parents check the brakes so that they can stop safely
- Keep both hands on handlebars at all times
- Wear reflective clothing if cycling in the dark and also use bike lights
- Check that tyres have plenty of air, that brakes work, check that the handlebars don’t move in ways they shouldn’t, check the seat doesn’t wobble
