7. Make sure there are smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in the house.

8. To make sure that your child does not get sun burnt put ample amount of sunscreen over him/her. Children are easily susceptible to such burns even if the sun does not appear to be so scorching.

POISONING
Poisoning is a common cause of accidents around the house. It is usually between the ages of 2 and 6 years that we see most cases of poisoning. Tips to prevent poisoning:

1. All pesticides and chemicals should be kept locked and out of reach of children. Locked, not merely with a latch as that can easily be opened but with a proper key that must also be kept in a secure place.

2. All medication should be kept tightly shut in child resistant bottles with secure caps.

3. Reference to medicine as sweet should be discouraged as it makes the substance seem more child friendly than it really is.

4. Find out about the toxic plants in your area. Poisonous plants and flowers should be kept away from children.

5. Never change the bottles of detergents and cleaning solutions by putting the remnants in milk, juice or cola bottles. Children can possibly drink it.

6. Kerosene, diesel, varnish, paint and other such substances should be kept safely in a shed or store room, locked. The key too, should be securely placed.

7. Keep mosquito repellent mats away from the reach of children. Infants tend to chew them.

8. Keep the telephone number of your poison control center handy next to your telephone.

CHOKING
Children discover the world by putting everything in their mouth. Since they have small airways, and their cough reflexes are not developed, children can choke easily. To avoid such accidents, some tips are given below:

1. Coins, food and certain toys with removable parts contain material that can choke should be kept away from children. Make sure you read the age label that accompanies the toys before giving it to your child.

2. To further avoid a hazard, children under the age of 4 years, should not be given nuts or seeds of fruits and flowers, like those of sunflowers, watermelons, grapes or even peas. Hard caramel candy should also be avoided.

3. Make sure the baby is in a sitting position whenever s/he is eating solid food.

4. Make sure the baby is not talking, laughing or running around with food in her/his mouth. A toffee or chewing gum is extremely dangerous. Similarly raw apples, pears and carrots can get stuck in a baby’s throat.

5. Safety pins, jewelry, buttons, marbles, beads etc. all can potentially choke a child. Keep them away.

6. Ropes, strings, shoe laces, loose wires and cords all are potential sources for strangulation.

7. Plastic bags on the head of a child can be fatal as the child’s air supply can easily be blocked.