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Definition of Accidents to children in the home

The kinds of accidents children have are linked to their level of development, so there are particular things to watch out for depending on the age of your child.

Babies 0-1 years old:

At this stage babies are able to wriggle, grasp, suck and roll over. There are a number of possible accidents that are common in this age group.

  • Suffocating and choking in babies:

Babies can swallow, inhale (breathe in) or choke on things like small toys, peanuts and marbles. Choose toys designed for the age of your baby and make sure that small objects such as marbles, peanuts and small toys are kept out of reach. Encourage older children to keep their toys away from the baby. Lay your baby on its back in a cot to sleep - don't put babies to sleep alone in an adult bed or on the sofa.

  • Falls:

Falls can happen if you leave your baby on a raised surface. When you are changing nappies, make sure your baby can’t roll off a bed or sofa. You can use a baby mat on the floor.

  • Burns and scalds:

Burns and scalds are possible if your baby is near hot objects. Avoid putting your baby near things like ovens, light bulbs, radiators, hairdryers, irons and fires. Place hot drinks well out of your baby's reach. Fit short power leads on kettles and heaters. Remember hot water can scald for up to 30 minutes after it has boiled.

When bathing your baby, check that the water isn’t too hot. A good test is to put your elbow in first. If the water feels hot, it could possibly burn your baby. When filling the bath, run the cold water first and then add hot water. This reduces the risk of your baby slipping into scalding water.

  • Poisoning:

Babies have a natural instinct to suck anything that comes into contact with their mouths. Many ordinary household cleaners can be poisonous, so it’s important to keep them out of reach.

Take care when washing your baby’s bottle so it doesn’t come into contact with poisonous substances. Older brothers or sisters should be supervised when around a baby to stop them feeding tablets or other poisonous substances to the baby. Remember a baby’s stomach is much more sensitive than an adult's.

Children 1-4 years old:

Toddlers can move very quickly, so accidents often happen in seconds. As children get older they will explore more, which means they are more likely to have knocks and bruises.

  • Burns and scalds:

Make sure that you use an appropriate fireguard for all fires. Fit a smoke alarm on each floor of your home and make sure you check that it is working properly on a weekly basis. It’s importantto have a fire escape plan worked out and to tell your children what to do in case of a fire. Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.

Place hot drinks out of children's reach. Fit short power leads on kettles and heaters. Use the back rings on the cooker, and turn pan handles away from the edge. Children are curious and will reach for the handle of a pan on the stove – it’s best to keep young children out of the kitchen altogether if possible.

As with babies, it’s important to test the temperature of bath water before putting you child in, to avoid burning or scalding them. As they get older, teach them to test the water first, too.

  • Poisoning:

By the age of 18 months or earlier children can open containers, and by three years they may also be able to open child-resistant tops within minutes.

Keep household chemicals, medicines, alcohol and even cosmetics out of children’s reach, preferably in a locked cupboard or lockable suitcase or cosmetics case. Use containers that have child-resistant tops.