4 Tips for Protecting Your Minor Children While They’re at Home This Summer

Most children look forward to summertime and a long break from school. Lazy days, sleeping in and more time with friends, and no homework, is a kid’s dream. More time at home, however, also means increased exposure to home health hazards. Many common child-related accidents occur in a child’s home, with more serious injuries usually being preventable. 

Do you need tips on where to start ensuring your minor children are protected this summer? Let us share a few tips to help prevent childhood injuries in your home.

1. Think About Your Whole House.  Age has a lot to do with risk, but general home safety precautions can include installing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on every level of your home and checking them monthly to make sure they’re working. Also, set hot water heaters to no more than 120° or add an anti-scald device on faucets, and keep cleaning supplies or poisonous household products out of reach and away from food. 

Other home safety precautions can include:

  • Keeping a first-aid kit handy
  • Learning CPR and an age-appropriate Heimlich maneuver
  • Securing heavy objects from falling

2. Plan for the Needs of Young Children. Parents with young children should consider securing curtain and blind cords beyond a child’s reach, and keeping a poison control phone number programmed in their mobile phones. A national toll-free number is 1-800-222-1222. 

Further, you can also consider taking steps to:

  • Childproof stove knobs, especially if you have a gas stove.
  • Cook on a stove’s back burners with pot handles turned inward.
  • Secure bathroom-area electrical cords and keep them away from water.

3. Plan for Teenagers as Well. Parents with older children or teenagers should consider removing or locking up potentially dangerous items such as alcohol, tobacco, prescription medicines, guns and car keys. Notify neighbors when leaving teenage children home alone, when you know them.

You can also discuss and make sure they know when to call 911. This way they will be prepared for an emergency and know what to do if:

  • A stranger comes to the door
  • The power goes out
  • A smoke alarm goes off
  • There’s severe weather

4. Discuss Your Estate Planning with Your Attorney. The best way parents can protect their children is to make sure they’re provided for and looked after if something were to happen to mom and dad. Consider contacting an estate planning attorney who understands your needs to discuss drafting or updating important estate documents.

We know that this article may raise more questions than it answers. We encourage to think about what you need for yourself and your minor children, and then contacting an experienced estate planning attorney to get the information you need.

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