Pediatrics and Neonatology

You do a great job keeping safe your children at home…

But, did you think about these dangerous products or situations? Accidents can happen anywhere, even at home

Undoubtedly, most of us think that our home is one of the spaces where we can feel more secure and calm. And although, in theory, this thought is real, domestic accidents are one of the most frequent reasons for consultation in the Emergency Room during the pediatric age.

Carelessness, lack of information, prevention, and safety are some of the factors that surround accidents, which can happen anywhere, even in the home. If you want to minimize these risks as much as possible, the first step is prevention.

Growth stages and common risk factors for each child's age:

From 0 to 6 months of age: from newborn to six months of age, the most common accidents recorded are injuries from falls from the changing table or bed, suffocation in the crib, and burns from water during bathing.

From 6 months to 1 year of age: your baby begins to put his/her hands (and any objects within reach) in his/her mouth as he/she is becoming an explorer. During this stage (and the next), your baby needs constant vigilance. During this phase, the most common accidents are choking, which means that you have to watch out for anything that can be put in their mouth.

From 1 to 3 years old: In this interesting stage, your child is learning to stand up and walk on its own. Gradually, he is acquiring autonomy and greater mobility, here, moving from being an explorer to being a researcher. The injuries that occur most often at this age are bumps, falls, and burns. This is the perfect age to teach your child about the existence of dangerous situations and what their correct attitude should be.

From 3 to 6 years: During these years of your child's life, he or she becomes curious. He or she is increasingly physically active and more autonomous in everything. As in the previous stage, bumps and falls are the most frequent injuries; however, accidents caused by toxic products, chewing gum, stone fruits, medicines, and other related products are also recorded because of the curious nature of their colors or packaging.

From 6 to 12 years old: Little by little, you have to accept that your child is no longer a baby or a small child. At this "school age," the interest is no longer only centered on the family but extends to the school environment, the group of friends, and the neighbors with whom he or she goes out to play. Your child begins to have more social interaction and is in the stage of experimentation. The most common injuries are trauma and beatings caused by sports and play. Also, traffic accidents as a pedestrian or passenger. Therefore, it is essential to establish rules for coexistence and discipline in a preventive manner. Remember that your child learns, above all, through example and what he or she sees, and not only from what he or she is told.

In this article, you will find some useful tips to make your home a much safer place and to keep your children as far away as possible from the dangers that can be prevented.

Haces un gran trabajo manteniendo a tus hijos seguros en casa...

Cleaning products:

Keep cleaning products, bleach, detergent, dish soap, and other similar products out of sight and reach of your children. If possible, keep them in a closet or drawer that is closed and as inaccessible as possible for your child
Do not, for any reason, put cleaning products in inappropriate containers that could be confused with water, juice, soda, or any other food. Keep your original containers and try to buy brands that have child-resistant closures

Personal care products:

Keep away from products like mouthwash, perfume, permanent hair color, nail polish. Your child watches you use these products daily and will want to repeat those actions one day. It's better to be safe

Sharp objects or glass:

Lock up knife, scissors, razors, tools, and sewing utensils.
Use plastic dishes when serving food to your children; this way, we can avoid possible cuts in case glass breaks.

Small objects:

Babies and small children naturally have a desire to put things in their mouth, nose and/or ears. So during the first three years of life, you should pay special attention to this
When you buy toys for your children, make sure they don't have small parts that your child can put in his/her mouth and swallow
If your children are already at the age of exploration, forbid them to play with plastic bags or string. Also make sure that the cords for your curtains or blinds are out of their reach

Beauty and hair tools:

Your styling tools such as a hairdryer, curling iron, flat iron, and curlers are potentially dangerous objects for your children, so keep them in a safe place. The same goes for your cosmetics

Electrical outlets:

Put protective covers on electrical outlets that you don't normally use (they're easy to get at hardware stores and many supermarkets)
Always disconnect any electrical appliances after use
Teach your children how dangerous it is to touch an electrical socket
Avoids spliced cables

Stairs:

If you have stairs in your home, consider putting up barriers or safety grids to prevent access to your baby when he starts to walk
Staircase handrails should be kept in excellent condition

Burns:

Keep children out of the kitchen whenever possible
Never cook with your baby in your arms
Keep pan handles always turned toward the inside of the stove
Keep hot drinks, matches and lighters out of your children's reach
Place a fire extinguisher in your home and regularly check its functionality

Keep a First Aid Kit at home:

Having a first aid kit on hand can be very helpful. Make sure it is as complete as possible and contains the basics such as: gauze, bandages, cotton, alcohol, disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide, and anti-inflammatory unguents.

What can you do if there is an accident?

In case of a medical emergency, first stay calm, and go directly to the BlueNet Hospitals Emergency Room, if you are in Los Cabos, or call an ambulance at 624 1043.911

Finally, remember that your children and their health are the most precious thing. Do not allow domestic accidents to be a source of concern, Prevention is key.