Spring Home Safety Tips for Families

Spring, just like any other season, has its own share of potential hazards. Especially now that we are in these uncertain times, you want your home to be a safe place for you and your family.

A lot of spring injuries can be prevented by setting aside some time to focus on safety. Here are some spring home safety tips for families from Physicians Premier, your ER in Corpus Christi, TX. 

1. Window falls

Longer days and warmer weather means more open windows. With open windows come more danger. According to the Journal of Pediatrics, young kids are at a greater risk for window falls.

Young ones can fall from windows open as little as 5 inches. To keep your children from sustaining serious injuries from window falls, install window stops and guards, and move furniture away from windows. Don’t simply rely on window screens, and if possible, keep windows latched at all times.

2. Spring gardening and cleaning

It’s high time to get the yard in shape and dust off the cobwebs, but be careful about hidden dangers in gardening and cleaning products.

Poisoning is a concern regardless of the season, but generally, products that were hidden away – such as poisons for outdoor use or fertilizers – become more accessible to kids come springtime.

Kids may think that poison is safe to ingest, especially if the substance is placed in a bottle that is similar to a drinking bottle. The smallest amounts of poison can harm a child. In fact, a teaspoonful of poison is enough to cause serious damage.

It’s best if parents store their gardening and cleaning products in their original containers and away from children’s’ reach. In addition, post the Poison Center phone number beside the phone of your home and entered into your mobile phone.

3. Trampolines

It would be fun to set up a trampoline in your yard, especially during these times when we are looking for more fun ways to keep the kids entertained. However, trampolines are very dangerous. The AAP advises against the use of trampolines at home. However, if you already have one in your home, we offer the following precautions: 

• An adult must be present at all times.
• Do not allow somersaults and flips.
• Allow only one user at a time.
• Inspect the equipment and repair defective parts when needed. 
• Check if the protective padding on the trampoline is in good condition.

Keep these spring home safety tips for families in mind to keep your family safe this season. However, accidents do happen; and when you or a member of your family needs immediate medical care, Physicians Premier, your ER in Corpus Christi, TX, is available 24/7.

Sources:

“Pediatric Injuries Attributable to Falls From Windows

in the United States in 1990 –2008,” Journal of Pediatrics, https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/128/3/455.full.pdf.

“Trampolines: What You Need to Know,” Healthy Children, https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Trampolines-What-You-Need-to-Know.aspx.