Home is the safest place for a child. BUT, are we actually keeping our home safe for our children? We need to revisit and recheck! 

In today’s fast-paced world, providing a safe and secure environment for our children is the top-notch priority of every parent. 

Indoor safety is equally important as outdoor safety. 

Every other day we receive children in paediatric ER having some or the other kind of injuries- accidental  falls, accidental consumption of adult medicines, burns, etc.  

The question is CAN WE PREVENT IT? The answer is YES to a large extent. If we are vigilant enough inside the home. 

Here are a few points to remember for children’s safety inside the home.

1. Avoid any sort of fall from height.

Identify the high-risk areas.

1. Beds

2. Balconies 

3. Staircase and railings 

4. Wet floors/bathrooms 

What to do?

• Provide floor beds  
• Use bed rails if the infant is in bed 
• Avoid putting furniture near open windows and balconies to avoid climbing and falling
• Use safety nets for balconies and windows, esp. in high-rise apartments 
• Never leave your child unattended on staircases 
• Avoid using round walkers, which can trip off easily 

2. Avoid accidental consumption of medicines or harmful chemicals

What to do? 

• Keep all medicines out of reach of children, either on a high shelf or in a locked cupboard
• Avoid keeping tablets or syrup bottles open on the table 
• Avoid self-medication; in case of sickness, please do visit your nearest hospital 
• Keep all harmful chemicals (toilet cleaning agents, acid, pesticides) in packed containers, and not in water bottles

3. Avoid burns at home. 

What to do? 

• Never drink hot water, tea, or coffee with a child in your lap 
• Always check water temperature before bathing your child 
• Avoid playing near a hot stove 

4. Avoid electrical burns. 

What to do? 

• Do not keep device chargers hanging from the sockets when not in use 
• Use child-safety covers for sockets 
• Always keep switches OFF when not in use 

5. Prevent drowning 

What to do? 

• Never leave your child unattended in bathrooms with half-filled tubs, buckets
• Supervised water play
• Avoid playing near swimming pools

PEDIATRIC FALLS CAN BE PREVENTED at large. Make your homes a “SAFE” place for a healthy and secure future for your children.

Dr. Shweta Kumari Singh
MD Paediatric, Fellowship in Neonatology (CMC)
Consultant – Pediatrician