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Keeping your child safe in the home
If you are worried about keeping your child safe in the home, there is lots of advice available online about this. This leaflet aims to provide advice on some commonly raised home safety issues, as well as letting you know where you can get further information.
Electricity
If you have a child who has limited awareness of the danger of electricity, it’s best not to leave any electrical items plugged in their bedroom at all. Dome-type ceiling light fittings are better than pendant fittings, which hang down, and can be accessible to a child if they stand on the bed.
Some socket protectors that fit and lock over the whole socket are available if your child attempts to insert things into the socket (the older type of socket protectors that plug into sockets are no longer recommended as they are not safe).
Windows
If your child tries to open windows, particularly upstairs, and risks falling out, you can fit a window restrictor. These are available at most DIY outlets and depend on what type of windows you have. Some windows already have these fitted inside the frame, but please check that these do actually restrict the window enough for your child and cannot easily be opened by them.
It is important that these are fitted according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and so that the gap that is left is not too large. Their head, arm, or leg should not fit through this, as this could cause serious injury. If window restrictors are used, the key should be kept safely out of reach of the child.
You may need the permission of your landlord or Housing Association to fit these if you are not a home owner. If these are fitted, try to plan what you would do in event of a fire. What would be your route out of the house? It’s best to think about and plan this in advance. Your local fire brigade can help you to think about this via a free fire safety check. If you have blinds fitted in your child’s room please ensure these are fitted according to manufacturer’s guidelines (eg. a chord restraint is fitted if these are chord operated) as these are a strangulation risk for young or vulnerable children. Some safer options are available such as windup roller blinds (these don’t use any chord), or curtains (these can be attached via Velcro if your child pulls these down).
The kitchen
If your child has limited awareness of hazards in the home, it’s advisable to have 1-2 lockable cupboards where you can keep items that are potentially harmful eg. cleaning products, medicines, sharp items.
Simple childproof cupboard locks are available from most DIY outllets which are easy to fit. If these are not strong enough, simple cupboard door locks which are lockable via a key are available. Some magnetic cupboard door locks are available, which are not visible from the outside, and are only openable via a strong magnet, which the parent keeps.
If your child is showing an interest in turning on your gas cooker there is a free scheme with most gas providers to fit a locking cooker valve. This is usually free for individuals who are vulnerable (eg. autism). The first step is to find out who your gas supplier is via: www.findmysupplier.energy.
Then go to the supplier's website where there is usually a simple form to fill in to request one is fitted.
When cooking, try to keep any hot pans on the rear hob, with handles pointing in so they can’t easily be grabbed by little hands!
Further information
Lots more information on home safety is available online via these organisations:
- National Autistic Society: www.autism.org.uk
- Challenging Behaviour Foundation: www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk
- Epilepsy Society: www.epilepsysociety.org.uk
- Fledglings - This is a charity that provides some home safety items such as socket covers: www.fledglings.org.uk
- ROSPA: www.rospa.com/policy/home-safety/advice
- Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire service offers a free fire safety check: www.safelincs.co.uk/hfsc
Paediatric Therapy have many other leaflets and videos available on other topics such as car safety, and sensory strategies. These are available at: www.hacw.nhs.uk/paediatric-therapy.