It doesn’t matter whether you have young children or they’re all grown up, parents will continue to worry about their kids’ safety. Adults begin to parent their elderly parents and as we get older, we become more aware of the dangers that lurk. While we may not be able to control everything that happens to them, we certainly can take action to make their surroundings as safe as possible. So if you’ve got a family to take care of, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn how you can ensure their safety.
Brush Up on Safety Rules
An educated home is a safe home. While you can’t control what happens once your loved ones leave the house, you can educate them to ensure they take proper safety measures. Make sure that everyone in the household understands car safety, buckles up during the ride, and knows the steps to take following an incident. Make sure small children have child safety seats installed and the person driving is fit to drive. While your elderly parent may want to drive, make sure they are still able to without putting themselves in danger.
Bike rides require a helmet and make sure everyone in your family has the right protective gear, and that the bike has functional lights and other safety features. Finally, make sure that when anyone leaves the house whether that be for a short ride or if they use a bike to commute, they have the means to contact family members in case of an emergency and always have some cash on them as a precaution.
Prevent Injuries
Preventing injuries starts by taking a look around the house and taking the necessary steps to reduce risks. Prevent trips and falls by adding bathroom mats to prevent slippery floors and keep all wires contained so that they’re not all over the floor. If you have infants, baby-proof the house with outlet covers and gates to block access to the kitchen as this is not a place a toddler should explore by themselves.
While it is a parent’s duty to make sure their children are safe and supervise them at all times, it isn’t so easy to do the same with seniors – especially when you’re also working. For this reason, the Australia-based caregivers at arcare.com.au explain that the best way you can ensure your elderly family members are safe is by hiring a caregiver or looking into local assisted living. You need to ensure your seniors eat well, bathe, and live happy and healthy life. It is our responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our family members, so if you’re struggling to do it all, getting some help is for the betterment of everyone involved.
Be Mindful of What You Buy
Paying attention to what ingredients you bring into your home, feed your kids, and apply to your family members’ skin is essential for their health. Do some research to find the best shampoos, conditioners, and lotions – especially if you have children who suffer from eczema or sensitive skin. Be mindful of the toxins in cleaning products – if you have pets, they can lick or inhale dangerous toxins. Finally, make sure the food in your kitchen is healthy and clean, has not expired to prevent poisoning, and is not a choking hazard for small children. If you’re buying things such as silicone feeding sets for your children, ensure it’s pure silicone and not a lower quality alternative.
Speaking of kitchen, make sure your appliances are operating correctly and safely. If you have an issue with an appliance engage a specialist for that product. For example if you have a Samsung fridge which has a broken door (which is a major safety issue for families with small children), then engage a Samsung appliance repairer.
Note that certain foods like grapes must be cut in half for toddlers to prevent choking. Consider eating together as a family or provide your children with a kids’ table in the family room to monitor what they eat and prevent them from eating in their room without your knowledge.
Safeguard the Home
One thing people fail to pay attention to is the quality of the home’s exterior. Windows and doors need the same maintenance that the rest of the house’s contents need. These repairs can prevent break-ins and even prevent dust from entering the home – this is especially essential if you have asthmatic children or any family member with dust allergies.
Another vital part of safeguarding your home is installing alarms. Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers will prevent serious injury and even death. You should also look into installing emergency alarms as research shows burglaries are less likely to occur in homes that have cameras and safety features.
We all want to ensure our home is safe for our families and protect them from any external dangers. While we cannot control everything that happens to them, we can make sure we are equipped with the knowledge and tools to remain safe. Referring to the above tips will prevent a lot of illnesses and injuries to keep all of your family members healthy.
