Welcome to Parent Tips

Secure Gate

To keep young children from opening an outside gate and getting on the street, secure the gate with dog-leash clips. Attach them to the fence with a short chain. Your child won´t be able to open them, but you will, even with one hand.

Glass Door Safety

To avoid toddlers walking into sliding glass doors, place a piece of colored tape on the glass at his eye level. This will remind him that the glass is there!

Fire Extinguishers

Purchase a multipurpose fire extinguisher for every level of your home and learn how to operate your fire extinguisher before you need it. Check the pressure gauge regularly, and have the fire extinguisher recharged when the pressure reads low.

Safe Doorknobs

To prevent your child from turning a doorknob you don´t want him to, try this. Place a sock over the doorknob and attach it with an elastic band. When your child tries to open the door, the sock slips because your child´s grip isn´t strong enough and he won´t be able to open the door.

Car Safety for Kids Over 8

Use seat belts on kids older than 8 and over 80 pounds. The shoulder strap should rest comfortably across the child´s shoulder and chest; don´t put it behind her back or under her arm. The lap belt should rest across her upper thighs, not her abdomen.

Summer Sun Safety

Sunscreen takes at least 15-30 minutes after application to be effective. If it is applied when kids are already in the sun, they are unprotected for that period of time.

Fire Escape Plans

Create an escape plan and practice it with your family. Make sure windows open easily and practice exiting through them. Install fire ladders where needed, and make sure all family members know how to use them. Know the location of the nearest telephone outside your home and teach your children how to dial 911 to report a fire.

At Home Alone

The age when it is safe for a child to stay at home alone really depends on the maturity of the child. The average age is around 11 or 12, but there are some things to consider before allowing your child to stay alone. One critical factor is whether your child has the judgment to handle an emergency. If there is a fire, can he be trusted to get out of the house immediately, or will his first impulse be to rescue the cat? Legal implications vary from one community to another. For information about which laws apply to your situation, check with the office of your city attorney, county attorney or state attorney general. If you decide that your child is able to stay alone, teach him how to get help when he needs it—by calling 911 in an emergency, or contacting you or another adult in other circumstances. Instruct him in basic first aid; he should know what to do if he cuts himself while preparing a snack, for example. If he´s allowed to use the microwave or stove, make sure he knows how to do so safely. Teach him not to tell strangers on the phone or at the door that he´s home alone.

Kitchen

Ever have trouble keeping an eye on your toddler while cooking or doing dishes? My two year old taught me a good lesson. Our child-proof home included cabinet locks. They are a good measure but frustrating to children. Designate one cabinet in your kitchen to your toddler. Fill it with plastic containers, wooden spoons, plastic utensils and leave it unlocked. While you are in the kitchen they will keep themselves busy discovering and playing, and you can still keep an eye on them and know they are safe.

Identification cards

Often local agencies have free child identity cards and processing. These usually include a recent picture of your child along with their fingerprints, height weight, and any identifying marks. These are then usually turned into local law enforcement agencies and should be updated every year.

Paint Brush Safety

To keep your paintbrushes safer for your kids to use, cut all the handles down to about four or five inches long. Not only will they be safer, but young kids will find them easier to use.

Emergency Cell Phone Calling

The Federal Communications Commission now requires all cell phone service providers to accept 911 calls from any wireless phone, even an old one with no working number. This means that if you keep your old phone when upgrading to a new one, you will always have a handy and free way to call for help. A great thing to lend to someone who must travel but does not have their own cell phone.

Skateboard Safety

If you are nervous about getting your child a skateboard, perhaps you are concerned about his safety. If this is the case, perhaps you can make a deal with him that he can have a skateboard only if he practices certain safety rules, such as wearing a helmet and pads, etc. I believe that certain cities even offer skateboard safety classes. If he doesn´t follow the rules, then he will not be able to keep the skateboard. If this isn´t OK with him, then he will have to do without the skateboard. If there are other reasons that you don´t want him to have a skateboard, address those issues, and try to establish rules about them as well. For example, homework has to be done each day before the skateboard comes out. This way you should be able to reach a compromise where your son can have his skateboard and you can rest easily.

Stair Safety

To prevent small children from squeezing through or getting stuck in stair railings, try attaching a clear plastic carpet runner to the railings. It is economical, easy to remove, sturdy, and does not spoil the look of the stairs.

Keep Tabs on Your Kids

As an added safety feature in your home, hang bells on the doors that need to stay closed for your child´s safety (basement door, doors near stairs, etc.). If you hear the bells ringing, you will know someone is opening the door. This can also be useful on front and back doors and your fence gate.

Kiddie Pool

To prevent your kids from slipping in the kiddie pool, stick bathtub decals on the bottom of the pool. Choose a fun design and let the kids decorate the pool themselves.

Extra Protection

As an added safeguard for keeping young children safe from medicines and other potential hazards (including vitamins, ointments, bug sprays, etc.) try keeping them in a small suitcase with a combination lock. It keeps them safe from little hands, yet still convenient for you.

Who am I?

Make sure at an early age to teach children their full name, address and phone number. I.D. bracelets are sometimes a good idea especially if your child walks to and from school by themselves. If a child can let someone know who they are or where they live it can mean allot to your child´s safety if they get off course on their destination.