Children spend a large amount of time at home, and it can be easy to take for granted that they are safe around the house. It is, however, essential to be aware of potential danger zones and take every step possible to make your home ‘kid friendly’. Here are a few tips to help your loved ones avoid injury.

Child Proofing Your Home
Kids are naturally curious, and as soon as they are old enough to crawl they will start to explore their environment. Once your kids are moving on their own, it’s important to be aware of the obstacles and dangers they may encounter. Many experts recommend that parents go for their own crawl around the house to get a better perspective of these potential hazards. There are several things to watch for, including:

•    Small items that could be choking hazards
•    Uncovered electrical outlets
•    Sharp corners on tables and other furniture
•    Long cords that a child could get tangled up in
•    Areas that need a safety gate, like in front of stairs or rooms a child shouldn’t enter
•    Any dangerous item (knives, glass objects, etc.) within a child’s reach

For more tips on childproofing your home, visit Parenthood.com.

Kitchen Safety
Kids enjoy spending time in the kitchen while a parent cooks, but it is a room that can hold many dangers if you don’t prepare. Keep a close eye on children while they are in the kitchen, and use these tips to help protect them:

•    Turn the handles of pots and pans away from the counter so children can’t grab and pull them down
•    Keep all poisons out of reach and in child-proof containers
•    Don’t store sharp utensils where children can reach them
•    Put child proof latches on every cabinet
•    Store alcohol on shelves in tall cabinets, and keep them securely latched

Water Safety
For families with small children, water safety is a major concern. Statistics show that drowning is one of the leading causes of death among kids in the United States. If you own a pool, put a child safety fence around it and keep it locked at all times. Don’t leave toys near the pool; they encourage children to look for a way to climb over the fence. If possible, invest in a pool cover. It will provide an extra level of security, and keep the water warmer.

Water safety isn’t just about pools – a drowning can occur in a very small amount of liquid. Every year children drown in bathtubs, toilets and other water-filled objects. Keep your bathroom door latched and never leave a child unattended around water for any amount of time.

Fire Safety
A house fire is one of the most tragic and potentially deadly events a family can endure, so it is essential to be prepared. Start by purchasing smoke alarms and remember to replace the batteries once a year so they are always fresh. Next you can pick up a few fire extinguishers and place them in as many rooms as possible. Finally, come up with several escape routes in case a fire breaks out. Rehearse a fire safety drill in which the entire family practices using these routes so they are ready to get away quickly during an emergency.

Child safety is a major issue for every parent. It’s a topic to focus on daily, and something we can examine in even greater detail this September 1st – 7th as we recognize National Child Injury Prevention Week. Find more safety tips for kids here, and thank you for reading the PeopleFinders.com People Search blog.

What Is National Safety Month?
The National Safety Council (NSC) started this event in 1996 to share their ideas about workplace safety, home security and safe driving techniques. Their mission is “preventing injuries and deaths at work, on the roads and in homes and communities”. Every June the NSC sponsors National Safety Month and focuses on a different safety related topic each week. We salute their efforts and encourage you to read their suggestions for living safely.

Safetyville USA
Safetyville USA is a replica of a city built in 1/3 scale to give young people a personalized view of the world around them. Tour guides accompany children through the park and offer safety tips about electricity, fire, bicycling, vehicles and other potential hazards. On Saturday, June 13th this Sacramento, CA based attraction hosts their annual Family Safety & Health Exposition from 10am – 4pm, and PeopleFinders.com will be there to hand out child identification kits and discuss ideas on how to keep your children safe. Join us at this free event to learn about child safety, predators and stranger danger in a fun and supportive environment.

More Safety Thoughts
You can find a variety of safety related tips and events throughout June. The month kicks off with National Sun Safety Week sponsored by the Sun Safety Alliance. June also boasts National Tire Safety Week and Lightning Safety Awareness Week to promote awareness of other dangers. People in the safety industry use this month as a time to discuss this important topic. Safety, Health and Environmental professionals are encouraged to attend the Safety Engineers Conference (June 28th – July 1st) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs proudly sponsors Fire, EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week (June 14th – 20th). Whether you hold a safety related job or not, this is a great time to think about tips and practices that will keep you secure during any season.

Our Ongoing Commitment
At PeopleFinders.com we know one of the best ways to stay safe is to be well educated. It’s a sad fact that many of the threats we face come from other people. Don’t let anyone victimize you – protect yourself with a Comprehensive Background Check to learn more about anyone you know professionally or personally, or find out if someone you may deal with has a Criminal Record on file.

Enjoy your summer and remember to practice good safety habits. Have a happy and safe June. Thank you for reading the PeopleFinders.com People Search blog.