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NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION WEEK
The 29th of May to the 4th of June is National Child Protection Week and part of any parents’ responsibility towards protecting their children starts in the home. Eighty percent of injuries in young children occur in or around the home and it can be a shock to some new parents when they realise how unsafe their homes actually are – with potential hazards lurking in every room.
Children are naturally curious and are tempted to explore in ways that can put them at risk. – whether it is opening cupboards in the kitchen and bathroom where potentially harmful substances are kept, putting small fingers where they don’t belong, or attempting to climb up or over large and possibly unstable furniture items – to name just a few antics of the average child. However, there are many things you can do to make your home as safe as possible for your young ones.
Orlando Luis, CEO of the family-owned chain of hardware stores, Brights – which offers an extensive range of childproofing products for your home – gives these simple, helpful, and potentially life-saving guidelines on how to ensure your baby’s environment is childproof:
Childproofing checklist
· Put rubber or foam protectors around corners and sharp edges such as tables, kitchen counter tops, televisions etc. “Recommended products are foam edge protector strips, foam corner protectors, door jam protectors and door cushions,” says Luis.
· If your home has stairs, make sure to install a sturdy child safety gate, preferably at the top and bottom of the stairs. “One can choose between standard safety gates or retractable safety gates and there are also safety gate extensions available for larger apertures.”
· Ensure that movable furniture, such as a television or bookshelf, are firmly fixed to the wall with brackets.
· Garbage bins should be kept in a place where your baby or toddler is not able to reach them e.g., in a cupboard with locks.
· All doors should always be closed or locked, so that your baby cannot push them open while crawling. “Under door stops are recommended and when in place, the door will not be able to swing close, or open any further, without removing the door stop from underneath it,” says Luis.
· The dishwasher, fridge and all cupboards should have child-proof locks, with cleaning detergents and any harmful products safely locked inside. “There are many different kinds of safety catches and cupboard locks to choose from such as multi-latches, flexi cabinet locks, and refrigerator locks.”
· “The kitchen can be a dangerous place for small children,” warns Luis. “If you have a pot on the stove ensure that you always use the back burners and turn the handle of the pot away from the edge of the counter top. Ensure the kettle and its cord are kept out of reach and also that any sharp knives are kept in a drawer that is not within reach or is locked.”
· Make sure the toilet seat remains closed. Not only is it unhygienic for children to play in the toilet bowl but babies have been known to drown by falling head first into the toilet. “A specially designed toilet latch is available that keeps the lid of the toilet bowl locked in place and away from curious inspection.”
· Put covers on plugs that are located closer to the floor or on eye level of your baby when they are crawling. “These covers prevent small children from putting their fingers into electric plug points.”
· Loose cords for big electronics such a television, sound system etc., should be fastened together with a plastic zip-tie.
· Luis cautions that load shedding can cause potential hazards for children if you are using candles or paraffin lanterns for light. “Always keep these out of reach, and on stable surfaces. Put candles inside a glass jar or suitable glass cover to protect the flame from small fingers.”
· Winter is also a potentially more dangerous time for young children as people have fires burning and heaters switched on. “Make sure you have a secure grate around or in front of your fireplace so that children cannot reach the flames. Keep gas heaters and electrical heaters out of reach if possible or ensure that you never leave a child unattended with these heating appliances,” says Luis.
· “Moving out doors, make sure that you swimming pool has a sturdy fence around it and ideally, a pool cover as well. If you have pool chemicals as well as fertilisers and pesticides stored in a shed or accessible place near the house ensure they are locked in a cupboard or box where children cannot reach them.”
· “Likewise with sharp garden implements and tools that can injure young children – keep them locked away and out of reach.”
Child Safety Product Suggestions From Brights:
- Safety catches – R19,95
- Corner latches – R35,95
- Cupboard locks – R47,95
- Door cushions x 2 – R29,95
- Under door stops x 2 – R64,95
- Door jam protectors – R39,95
- Electrical outlet covers – R62,95
- Flexi cabinet lock x 3 – R69,95
- Foam corner protectors – R54,95
- Multi-latches – R64,95
- Toilet latch x 2 – R24,95
- Universal flexi lock – R27,95
- SA pine picket fencing – R599,95 per length for 1.8m high fencing
- Bestway frame pool cover 3m x 201cm – R169,95
- Flatback 700 fireplace fire screens – R999
- Three panel Tuscan fireplace screen – R649
“All of these products are available at Brights stores. There are many more practical steps parents can take to ensure the safety of their young children but by putting the above measure in place you will have ensured your home is a far safer space for the youngest and most curious family members,” concludes Luis.
Brights Hardware have on-site experts in all of their stores to provide advice and guidance on any of these home proofing products. Brights stores are located in Boston, Blackheath, Langebaan, Mitchells Plain, Montague Park, Plattekloof, Stonewood, Brackengate and Sunningdale. As well as an online store shopping experience available at www.brights.co.za. Brights offers same day delivery for products purchased online, as well as a tool hire service.
*Note that prices can be subject to change