Childhood injuries in Hollywood are devastating, but unfortunately they are common. Children are naturally curious and do not always understand how to stay safe. If you’re a parent or caregiver, these ten tips can help you reduce the risk of injury to your kids:
- Teach children to swim early: Swimming skills are essential to help young children get to shore or keep their heads above water if they accidentally fall into a pool. There are even toddler swimming classes available to help very young children stay safer around water.
- Secure pool areas thoroughly: Even if your children know how to swim, it’s crucial to have a tall fence around your pool and self-locking gate to keep any children out of the pool area and to protect yourself from a Hollywood premises liability claim.
- Check your window treatments: Window blind cords can pose a serious strangulation risk, as can any hanging sashes or cords. Eliminate these parts of your window treatments or tie them up very high, where children cannot reach them, even if they climb on the window.
- Secure all heavy items to the wall: Children sometimes climb on televisions, bookcases, dressers, and other heavy appliances and furniture. Make sure all these items are securely attached to the wall so they can’t tip over on your child.
- Keep windows from opening: Falls from windows, even on a first or second floor, can cause serious injuries, including fractures and head trauma. Screens are not enough to keep children from falling, so keep windows closed and use child safety window guards.
- Create a supervision system: The best way to prevent childhood injuries is with plenty of adult supervision. Create a system with other parents or caregivers to keep eyes on children at all times.
- Keep your doors locked: It’s a simple precaution and one that many parents may not think of. Keep doors locked to prevent children from wandering outside and away from the house.
- Cook on back burners: If you have small children, they can reach up and pull down pot and pan handles near the edge of the stove. Cook on the back of your stove to prevent burn injuries.
- Place covers over outlets: Childproofing outlets can help prevent fires and electrocution injuries.
- Keep all chemicals, matches, and dangerous items secure: If you have very small children, keep all cleaners, lighters, and dangerous household items in high spaces. Or, keep them in a locked cupboard or closet. Get into the practice of walking through your home and evaluating whether any items which are out pose a hazard. Remember that for children even simple everyday objects such as lightbulbs can be dangerous, so if you’re in doubt, store the item securely.
You may take great precautions at home, but if your children can still be injured at school, in care, or when visiting others. If your child has been injured due to the negligence of others, contact Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Hollywood childhood injury claims attorney.