FACT SHEET
Safety in the Home
A significant number of accidents happen in or around the family home. In many cases the accidents are with children. The injuries sustained vary in severity from bruises and abrasions, to burns, poisoning or drowning. Many of these accidents can, with some thought, be prevented.
A few minutes of thought and some simple rearranging of our homes can prevent injury to your family members. Think about these possible dangers in the home.
Bathroom: Is there an electrical appliance where it can be knocked into the bath? Do you occasionally leave your tiny tot unsupervised in the bath, 'just for a minute'? Is the medicine cabinet unlocked?
Bedroom: Do you smoke in bed? Can the kids play with the electric blanket? Are the sleeping pills in the bedside table where the toddler can get at them? Glass: Does your home have full-length glass doors without eye level markings?
Garage: Is your power drill due for retirement? Is there a slippery patch of oil on the floor? Is the weedkiller within easy reach of the toddler?
Kitchen: Do you leave the pot of fat to heat up on the hotplate while you go and do something else? Are the saucepan handles turned out so that the toddler can reach for them? Is the dishwasher detergent kept under the sink, where baby can find it? Is there a fire extinguisher or fire blanket?
Laundry: Have you left the bucket of bleach on the floor where baby can taste it? Is the iron's cord dangling within baby's reach? Is it frayed?
Lounge: Can the kids get at the cigarette lighter? Is the gas heater right alongside the curtains?
Pool: Is the pool fenced? Does anyone ever swim in it alone? Is it out of sight of the living room or the kitchen? Are the pool chemicals stored with petrol? Can you do CPR?
DOES YOUR HOME HAVE A FIRST AID KIT?
A safety precaution prevents accidents and plays an important part in St. John Ambulance first aid courses in New South Wales.
To gain first aid skills, people can undertake a variety of courses including the Senior First Aid course or for parents and carers in the childcare industry the Caring for Kids course. The Senior First Aid course is a comprehensive 16-hour course, which covers all the fundamentals of first aid. It is a standard certificated course in first aid, which is accredited by WorkCover and complies with the requirements of the Occupational Health & Safety Regulation. The Caring for Kids course is an eight-hour course, which cover first aid for children including burns, bleeding, bites and stings, shock management, poisoning and fractures. It is a standard certificated course in first aid which is approved by the Department of Community Services (D.O.C.S.) and is the minimum first aid requirement for carers in the childcare industry.
This information has been provided as a guide only and is in no way a substitute for a comprehensive St. John Ambulance first aid course.
This material is taken from Staying Alive: First Aid, St. John Ambulance's authoritative manual on first aid in Australia.
For More Information:
Call Customer Service on 1300 360 455
