SAFETY IN AND AROUND THE HOME
■ Keep a list of emergency numbers at all your landline phones, and also save these numbers on your cellphone. Using the acronym ICE (In Case of Emergency) at the beginning of each of these contacts makes these numbers easy to find in an emergency. ■ Keep all your heaters in good condition, out of a child's reach and placed at least 1m away from curtains, any paper and furniture when in use. Ensure they have protective covers. ■ Make sure that electric cords are not frayed or overloaded and are placed out of reach, and fit all unused electric plug points with safety covers. ■ Install toddler gates at the top and bottom of all stairways and make sure that the strength of stairs, railings, porches and balconies has been checked. ■ Install safety latches or locks on all cabinets, fridges, drawers and toilets. Loop all blind cords out of reach. ■ Make sure that all medicines, vitamins, cleaning products and household poisons, razor blades and scissors are stored well out of reach and in childproof containers. ■ Place high chairs and stools away from the stove, and place pots at the back of the stove with the handles facing inward. ■ Make sure all playground equipment in the garden is assembled correctly ■ Remove thorny or poisonous plants from the garden. ■ Fit your garage doors and electric gates with safety mechanisms that stop the door/gate if it encounters an obstacle, as well as a safety mechanism that stops doors from coming off the hinges and falling down. ■ Never leave your child alone in the bathroom or in the bath, or near a water source, not even for a few seconds. ■ If you have firearms, make sure they are locked in a safe where they are completely inaccessible to children, and keep them stored unloaded with the ammunition stored separately.
