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.

Now that June is almost over, kids everywhere are enjoying a carefree summer away from classes, homework and teachers. It’s up to the adults to make sure they have a safe and secure experience. PeopleFinders.com is happy to help by presenting a few child safety tips.

Children’s Safety In Public
While your kids are on break they usually tag along when you run errands. Start these excursions by making sure their seat belts are on, locking the doors and rolling up the windows. Criminals look for easy targets, so an open window or unlocked door may seem like an invitation to a carjacker. Never leave a child alone in a vehicle for any reason. It only takes a second for someone to break the glass and get inside.

When you’re out in public always keep your kids in sight. Accompany younger children into public restroom and wait right outside for older kids. Leaving young people unsupervised even for a moment can have disastrous results if a predator notices. Give each child a piece of paper with your name and number on it in case you do get separated. A responsible adult can use it to contact you immediately.

Safety For Kids At Home
Your children can’t go everywhere you do, so it’s important to teach them about home safety. Give your kids a list of emergency numbers including the fastest way to contact you, 911 and numbers for trusted friends or family. Your kids may not answer the phone, but if they do make sure they never tell anyone they are home alone. More importantly, tell your children not to answer the door for any reason while they are unsupervised. Sit down with your kids to talk about these safety rules, and show them every way to get out of your house so they have several escape routes in case of an emergency.

Some parents hire care givers to watch their children during the summer months. Before allowing anyone into your home, you can learn everything you need to know about them by ordering a Background Check or finding out if they have Criminal Records on file. When it comes to your home and children, there is no such thing as being too cautious.

Stranger Danger
You’ve heard the term, but what does it mean for your family? Every parent must teach their children about staying away from strangers. Explain that some strangers can be helpful – police officers, store clerks or even other children – but that it’s best to stay away from adults they don’t know. Warn your kids not to accept anything from a stranger. Predators use many tricks to find a victim, such as offering candy, asking for directions or even claiming to know you. Let your kids know that if they ever feel threatened the best thing to do is run away.

At PeopleFinders.com we understand the dangers that certain strangers pose, so we provide information about sex offenders who may be living close to your home or school. Order a Sex Offender Report by Zip Code, Name or City to see a list of registered sex offenders in your area. It’s a great way to stay informed and keep your family safe.

Children are our most precious resource, and it’s up to us to keep kids safe.  June is National Safety Month, and we hope these safety tips will help keep your family safe all year long. Have a safe and exciting summer!

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