Pediatric Safety Pediatric Safety

Keeping children safe will prevent injuries and prevent the need for rescue. Keeping children safe will prevent injuries and prevent the need for rescue. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Ben Franklin Ben Franklin

AHA Association Safety Checklist The safety list was designed to keep the home and work environment as safe as possible for infants and children. Car Safety Car Safety General Indoor Safety General Indoor Safety Kitchen Safety Kitchen Safety Bathroom Safety Bathroom Safety Fire Arms Fire Arms Outdoor Safety Outdoor Safety

Car Safety Every person wears a seat belt. Every person wears a seat belt. Children 12 and younger sit in the back seat. Children 12 and younger sit in the back seat. Use a rear facing safety seat for infants weighing less than 20 pounds. Use a rear facing safety seat for infants weighing less than 20 pounds. Use a booster seat for children weighing pounds and for children less than 4 feet 9 inches tall. Use a booster seat for children weighing pounds and for children less than 4 feet 9 inches tall.

General Indoor Safety General Indoor Safety Place emergency phone numbers near or on the telephone. Place emergency phone numbers near or on the telephone. Install smoke detectors on the ceiling in the hallway outside sleeping areas and on each floor of your home. Check monthly and replace the batteries twice a year. Install smoke detectors on the ceiling in the hallway outside sleeping areas and on each floor of your home. Check monthly and replace the batteries twice a year. Ensure there are two unobstructed emergency exits. Ensure there are two unobstructed emergency exits. Develop and practice a fire escape plan. Develop and practice a fire escape plan. Ensure that working fire extinguishers are on the premises. Ensure that working fire extinguishers are on the premises. Ensure that electrical cords are not frayed or overloaded, and placed out of children’s reach. Ensure that electrical cords are not frayed or overloaded, and placed out of children’s reach.

General Indoor Safety Install “shock stops” or outlet covers on all electric outlets. Install “shock stops” or outlet covers on all electric outlets. Prevent falls by keeping one hand on the infant while they are on high surfaces like changing tables. Prevent falls by keeping one hand on the infant while they are on high surfaces like changing tables. Position healthy full-term infants on their back to sleep. Position healthy full-term infants on their back to sleep. Be sure the crib is safe with no more than 2 fingers between the mattress and crib railing and no more than 2 and 3/8 inches between crib slats. Be sure the crib is safe with no more than 2 fingers between the mattress and crib railing and no more than 2 and 3/8 inches between crib slats.

General indoor Safety Check the strength of stairs, railings, porches, and balconies. Check the strength of stairs, railings, porches, and balconies. Light hallways and stairs to prevent falls. Light hallways and stairs to prevent falls. Use toddler gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Use toddler gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Do not use infant walkers. Do not use infant walkers. Store medicines and vitamins out of reach of children in child-resistant containers. Store medicines and vitamins out of reach of children in child-resistant containers. Store cleaning products out of reach and out of sight. Store cleaning products out of reach and out of sight. Install safety latches or locks on cabinets that contain potentially dangerous items. Install safety latches or locks on cabinets that contain potentially dangerous items.

Kitchen Safety Kitchen Safety Minimize the risk of burns, keep hot liquids, foods, and cooking utensils out of a child’s reach. Minimize the risk of burns, keep hot liquids, foods, and cooking utensils out of a child’s reach. Keep foods and all small items away from the child. (test toys with a toilet paper roll) Keep foods and all small items away from the child. (test toys with a toilet paper roll) Keep knives and other sharp objects out of a child’s reach. Keep knives and other sharp objects out of a child’s reach.

Bathroom Safety Bath children in 1-2 inches of water. Stay with infants and young children. Bath children in 1-2 inches of water. Stay with infants and young children. Use skidproof mats or stickers in bathtub. Use skidproof mats or stickers in bathtub. Adjust the temperature on the water heater to 120 o- 130 o F. Adjust the temperature on the water heater to 120 o- 130 o F. Keep electrical appliances out of the bathroom. Use GFI outlets near water. Keep electrical appliances out of the bathroom. Use GFI outlets near water.

Firearms Firearms should be locked and inaccessible to children. Firearms should be locked and inaccessible to children. Store guns locked and unloaded, and store ammunition separately. Store guns locked and unloaded, and store ammunition separately.

Outdoor Safety Be sure that the child knows the rules of safe bicycling. knows the rules of safe bicycling. is properly protected when roller skating or skateboarding. is properly protected when roller skating or skateboarding. is properly protected while participating in contact sports. is properly protected while participating in contact sports. Wears helmets and protective equipment that fits properly. Wears helmets and protective equipment that fits properly.

Outdoor safety Reduce the risk of animal bites by teaching children how to handle pets and to avoid unfamiliar animals. Reduce the risk of animal bites by teaching children how to handle pets and to avoid unfamiliar animals. Home pools should be totally enclosed with a fence five feet tall and self- closing/self-latching gates. Alarm systems are also available. Home pools should be totally enclosed with a fence five feet tall and self- closing/self-latching gates. Alarm systems are also available.

An ounce of prevention….

Resource Download a complete copy of the American Heart Association Pediatric Safety Checklist 665Pediatric_Safety_Checklist.pdf 665Pediatric_Safety_Checklist.pdf