Home safety tips for parents

Credit to Author: Cheryl Song| Date: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 21:59:56 +0000

As families settle in Canada, it is very important that parents take the time to learn about safety and preventive measures to keep children safe in their new home. Canadian home safety standards, rules and regulations are probably different than those in your home country. Below are some safety tips to keep in mind.

– Spend some time on your city and province’s websites for useful tips and information on how to prepare for emergencies. Some even have information in your home language, as well as emergency preparedness courses.

– Extra steps are required for those with young children to prevent choking, suffocation, electrocution and falls. Make sure to remove choking hazards and childproof  your home with outlet plug covers and safety locks for doorknobs and cabinets.

– Store medication out of reach from children. Make sure to put the medication safety locks on after use.  Similarly, keep any household cleaning supplies and chemicals in the household away to prevent them from accessing the products.

– Keep your family safe from intruders by reinforcing your doors and windows, home alarms and motion lights. If possible, upgrade the door locks and deadbolts, and other home security options to keep your family safe.

– Prevent drowning accidents by putting in a secure fence around the backyard pool. Always supervise children while in the pool or bathtub.

– Ensure that regular home maintenance and inspections are done, including servicing heating and cooling systems, checking for water leaks.

– Install and regularly check the smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher.

– Prepare and customize first aid and emergency kits that meet the family’s needs, such as the age, number of family members and medical needs. Make sure to include an extra phone power bank/charger and cash in small bills.

– Compile a list of emergency contact numbers, including family emergency contacts, emergency medical services, non-emergency police numbers, family doctor, local urgent care and local city emergency services.

– Check your residence’s hot water tank temperature to prevent burns and scalding. Ensure there are safety measures in place to avoid burns from the stove top burner, oven or fireplace. Find out where your home water shutoff valve and gas shutoff valve are located and learn how to turn off the valve in case of an emergency.

While disaster can strike without warning, many accidents and injuries are preventable. Taking these few simple steps can keep your family safe in different emergencies. It is your responsibility as parents to learn and teach children about safety rules and equip them with life saving skills.

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