Covid-19 – What did we talk about before it? We’re all stuck indoors and enduring each other’s company. Busy trying to keep our little ones out of mischief and safe in the home. I know it is a difficult time but we can make it a positive one. We’re getting time out of our busy schedules to ‘Stay at Home’, some down time. So I thought I would do my blog this week on ‘Safety in the Home’. May be classed as a boring subject, but it is an important one.
Remember the day you left the hospital with your little bundle of joy in their car seat for the first time. It’s the most surreal feeling and a feeling that changes your life forever. You now are the proud owner of your very own baby doll!! The first thing we want to do (if we could) is wrap our little babies in cotton wool. We want no one speaking badly about them and definitely no one commenting on what we are doing or not doing as a parent. We want to protect them from every germ (and virus) going about. But do we think about how safe our home is for our babies, toddlers and children?
Have you checked your blind pull cords? Are your floor coverings fastened to the ground? Are electric leads and phone charges out of child’s reach? Are the toys your child is playing with safe? Is the water drained from the bath after use? Are the fire and radiators guarded? What could your baby or child choke on? Is your TV secured to the wall? Have you locked your cupboards with tablets and cleaning products? All these little checks help to keep you and your family safe in your home and away from hospitals.
I know you think (as a parent/carer) if I’m close by my child is safe. Although you are close there are times it is difficult to watch every move your child makes, while you’re in the midst of cooking, cleaning, refereeing other children in the home. So if your home is safe this is one less thing to think about or worry about.
Children love to explore their homes and find out things that we take for granted. If your home isn’t safe this could affect your child’s motivation to learn. Just imagine if you are being told ‘no’ or ‘don’t touch’ all the time, how would you feel? Their curiosity is consistently discouraged because they cannot move as freely as they would like due to unsafe items within their reach.
At the moment we are all following the guidelines to ‘Stay at Home’ to protect our loved ones. One big positive thing is it’s a great time to get those bits and pieces done around the house. Maybe some painting, gardening, de-cluttering our cupboards and toy-boxes, ironing (that is reaching the roof) and so on! Enjoy this time, relax and take time to relax with the family.
In issue 11 you will find out more about ‘Safety in the Home’. Try to take a look at your home through your child’s eyes. We also have a little leaflet about this – if you want one please feel free to email me at emmah@lifestartfoundation.org.
Remember to strike a good balance – be protective, not over protective.
#stayhome #staysafe #savelives
