Children's Health

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Prevent household fires by having and maintaining smoke detectors, planning and practicing escape routes, and teaching your child basic fire safety skills. Children ages 2 to 5 are often curious about fire. Warn your child about the dangers of fire, and explain why only grown-ups are allowed to use it.

Burns

Serious burns are most often caused by heat, electricity, or chemicals. Other types of burns include radiation burns (usually from sun exposure) and friction burns. Prevent burn injuries to your child by identifying dangers in your home and removing them or blocking your child's access to them. For more information, see the topic Burns.

• Most heat burns can be prevented by keeping your child away from fire, steam, hot liquids, and hot objects. Consider buying pajamas made of flame-resistant fabric for your child.
• To prevent electrical burns, keep electrical cords out of reach of your child and use safety covers on all outlets. Keep your child indoors and away from windows during electrical storms.
• Prevent chemical burns by keeping all caustic or corrosive products out of reach of children. Acid, such as from batteries, and alkaline products, such as drain cleaners, are especially dangerous.
• Friction burns are usually minor injuries, many of which can be prevented by providing proper play equipment and helping children to avoid scrapes. For more information, see the topic Scrapes.
• Enjoy fireworks from a distance. Almost half of the people injured by summer fireworks are children younger than age 15.¹ Children can also get burns from using and being around firecrackers and sparklers.

Guns and other weapons

Gun and firearm safety measures should be established for all households and especially those where children live or visit. Keep all guns and firearms in a locked area, unloaded, and out of reach of children. Also, store knives (even kitchen knives), swords, and other weapons safely out of reach.

Pets

Pets are in many households. Children who live in homes without pets likely will encounter animals in other settings. Many injuries can be avoided by teaching children how to properly interact with pets. Also, pet owners who train and keep their animals healthy are less likely to have problems when children are around.

• Teach your child how to interact with pets. Explain that animals can hurt you when they are scared, hurt, eating, or protecting their babies. Teach your child to speak quietly and move slowly around animals and to watch for body language that can alert your child to stay away.
• Train and prepare your pet to behave around children. A well-trained and obedient pet is less likely to harm a young child.

Drowning

Children younger than 5 years of age die from drowning more than any other age group.² Help prevent a drowning tragedy by following the recommendations from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Safety Council, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Supervise all baths at all times. Always stay within arm's reach of your child. Never leave your child alone in the tub-even with an older sibling.
• Control access to water in your home. Empty all buckets and coolers when not in use. Keep toilet lids down and consider securing them with safety latches.
• Keep pool areas safe. If you have your own pool or pond, keep it fenced. And follow all your local regulatory safety codes. These usually are available through your city planning department. When visiting public or private pools, make sure your children are supervised closely and that they are familiar with pool safety rules.
• Teach swimming safety. Make sure your child knows basic rules, such as to always swim with a buddy and to never push another child into the water. Always have your child wear a life jacket when swimming or boating.
• Recognize the dangers of hot tubs and spas. Teach your child that hot tubs and spas are not places to play, and consider making them off limits.
• Keep children away from irrigation canals. Do not let your child play in or near irrigation canals.

In addition to these precautions, learn first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Knowing these skills can make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. For more information, see the topic Dealing With Emergencies.