Preschoolers buzz, whirr, shimmy, and dance through life. Â Always on the go, their zeal for movement and learning can be infectious. But, when it comes to being safe and injury-free, this tendency for non-stop activity can work against them. Â As a parent/guardian of a preschooler, be on the lookout for falling objects, and for items that can be fallen into. Â In other words, don’t let your preschooler fall for injury!
TV Treachery
Flat screen televisions pose a special risk to preschoolers. Â Big and heavy, yet precariously unstable, these boxes can tip forward, easily falling on top of a youngster. Â It is imperative, then, to keep a preschooler away from a TV not mounted high on a wall. Â My cousin and her husband solved this problem by placing a child sized fence around the TV stand. Â That way, my goddaughter stays out of harm’s way.
Some may argue that constructing something like that will mar the “look” of a room; however, a child’s safety remains paramount. Â Plus, there will be plenty of time after a child grows into a teen to showcase a perfect home.
Stove Top Terror
Food that is cooking on the stove can sound and smell delicious. Â For instance, the pops and sizzles of frying bacon entice a child into the kitchen. Â Yet, preschoolers do not know that these sounds and smells should be regarded as dangerous. Â They don’t comprehend that hot grease can severely injure them.
No one wants to think about it, but a child can pull a pot or pan off the stove and onto him or herself in a flash. Doing so can cause painful burns, and even blindness. Â Even the most attentive parent will take a quick trip to the pantry for a spice, and during those few seconds, disaster can strike.
To avoid falling pans from the stove, keep children out of the kitchen while cooking. Or a parent may choose to place preschoolers securely at the table. Â Basically, never let a young child play freely in the kitchen when cooking.
Falling Down Disasters
In addition to items falling on a child, a child may fall into trouble. For instance, fireplaces pose special danger. Â Children this age only see beautiful dancing flames. Â They do not know that something so gorgeous can cause so much pain. Â As is the case with flat screen TV’s, keep a child far from the fireplace.
Look around your own home for other things that may injure a child if he falls into them. Â Do you have a glass coffee table? Â You may wish to put it in storage. Â Do you have counter tops with sharp edges? Â You can cover them with one of the many safety products on the market.
One way to aid this safety check is to place yourself at the level of the child. Â Either crouch down, or get on your knees to view your home’s rooms. Â Think about places your child runs (and dances), and see if there is a hazard to fall into.