Dangers Around the House

When was the last time you crawled on hands and knees through your house or decided to taste everything in reach? Probably not since you were in diapers, but if you have children, you should consider doing just that as a safety precaution. Statistics show that most injury and death to children occur in their own homes and it doesn’t only concern babies but children as old as 14 years of age.

We are all aware of the obvious:
· Do not leave children unattended in bath or pool,
· Lock up firearms,
· Block stairs with child-proof gates
· Place household chemicals in the places where children cannot reach

But did you know that there are dangers in every room of your house? A simple lighter or medicine container left unattended may draw a young child to explore. Natural curiosity can lead to a devastating occurrence that can involve injury to property and more important, to a child.

· Fire Alarms - Install ionization alarms, which are better at sensing flaming fires, and photoelectric alarms, which are better at sensing slow, smoky fires.

· Medications – should be in child-proofed cupboards. And if you no longer need that prescription, don’t leave it lying around the house. Take it back to the pharmacy or for a controlled substance such as Vicodin, OxyContin, Xanax, etc., take it to the Mountlake Terrace Police Department. Please remember, that while young children can get poisoned, older children sometimes use prescription meds to get high. If you don’t want to drive anywhere, crush the pills and mix with coffee grounds, place it in a non-transparent container or sealable bag and throw it in the garbage. Don’t forget to rip off the prescription label from any container that you are throwing out.

· Window Treatment Cords - Cords can present a substantial hazard since they can wrap around or choke a child.

· Furniture and Carpets – can slide and cause injuries to anyone. Secure these with anti-slip pads.

There are many hazards that children can meet with in their own home but these simple things can help keep them safe and offer you peace of mind.

Courtesy of the Mountlake Terrace Police Advisory Board


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