Dangerous items at home for children: what to remove and what to teach how to handle?

Safety in the home is the main task of parents on the path to developing children's independence. Many household items are dangerous not only to the health, but also to the lives of children. It is important to instill in your child from an early age what is absolutely forbidden to take, and what is allowed only under parental supervision. But at first it is important to turn the house into a safe living environment for the baby.

What household items in the house can be dangerous for a child?

As soon as the child begins to crawl and walk, the house turns into a kind of research center. All objects that are in the baby’s field of vision become the object of increased attention. During this period, the parent will not be able to stop, scold or prohibit doing something with the thing for one simple reason - the child will not understand what they want from him, and the matter will most likely end in crying.

Therefore, the crumbs should disappear from sight:

• small nails, bolts, pieces of paper and other debris;
• cords, wires, tees, extension cords;
• household appliances, especially those that are on the floor (robot vacuum cleaner, heater, fan and others);
• bags, insulating tape, tape;
• ropes, towels, scarves;
• ironing board;
• floor vases;
• umbrella;
• boxes, books, pens, pencils.

Other items that should not be left unattended:

• lighter, cigarettes;
• coins;
• cosmetical tools;
• batteries;
• pins, needles, knitting needles along with yarn;
• pills.

The best prevention of unpleasant consequences of a child’s “communication” with dangerous objects is the careful supervision of parents. But not everyone manages to control every movement of the baby, so you need to be on guard if the child gets outside the children's room.

There are dangers in the kitchen:

• sharp objects or cutlery - knives, forks;
• dishes - easily breakable or heavy;
• matches, household lighters;
• kitchen appliances – blender, electric kettle, microwave, mixer, multicooker, meat grinder;
• stove (especially gas), hob, oven;
• household chemicals – detergents and cleaning products;
• the contents of the cabinets are cereals and other bulk products.

It’s great if household appliances have a “lock” function, which is designed to protect them from children; in other cases, such things should be kept out of the reach of fidgets.

Dangerous objects in the bathroom are:

• household chemicals: powders, shampoos, etc.;
• appliances: washing machine, for example;
• open toilet.

Some indoor plants are also dangerous for young children. Some of them can be poisonous, others can injure the baby (for example, a cactus).

What can you use and what can you not?

As the child grows up, he develops experience of interacting with the objective world. First of all, this happens with toys. Then, as they grow older, parents teach the child to use other things independently: cutlery, clothes, household appliances, plumbing fixtures.

The approximate age range for teaching a child this kind of manipulation is: 2.5–7 years.

• Up to 2 years of age, the use of household items is more of a playful nature, which can be extremely dangerous.
• At 3–4 years old, a child begins to master patterns of adult manipulation: combing one’s hair, turning on the tap, washing hands with soap, flushing the toilet, putting away dishes, and much more.

This is how socially useful skills are formed.

What can be used under adult supervision (during the learning process):

• scissors;
• a needle;
• knife;
• fork;
• household appliances: TV, laptop (including power supply).

This also includes the use of detergents when washing dishes, when bathing in the bathroom, and so on.

The following items remain strictly prohibited:

• gas stove;
• water heater;
• matches;
• various household appliances (especially with high power), such as a vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, lamps, iron, etc.;
• tools, including electric ones: screwdrivers, saw, hammer, axe, pliers, soldering iron, screwdriver, grinder;
• all medications;
• household chemicals: paints, varnishes, solvents, chlorine-containing substances, aerosols (especially with propane);
• meat grinder, grater, corkscrew, folding knife.

This is the main list of household items dangerous for children; the list can be expanded depending on where the family lives: in a private house or apartment, whether the house has access to a balcony or attic. Are there other dangerous objects near the house or in the yard: sheds, garden plots, bathhouses, utility rooms where various dangerous tools are stored.

Recommendations for parents

The most important thing is not to leave children unattended. By law, children under 7 years old should not be left alone in the house. From 8 years old, children can be left, but for no more than 1.5 hours. With age, the time for which children can be left gradually increases.

Regarding young children

It is necessary to secure the house as a whole: put plugs on sockets, attach locks or limiters to cabinet doors. Cover the batteries with a special insulating lining.

General recommendations:

• vacuum more often;
• make sure that older children do not leave small construction parts, candy wrappers or other toys on the floor or sofa;
• remove or disguise cords (under baseboards, for example);
• do not leave crumbs of woven accessories in sight: towels, blankets and others;
• limit access to cabinets (attach “door locks”);
• do not leave electrical appliances within reach of the baby;
• remove fragile and sharp objects away.

While the child is still small, it is advisable to store all dangerous objects under lock and key or on high shelves, on the balcony or in the utility room.

Regarding preschoolers

As the child grows up, it is necessary to regularly explain to him what is absolutely forbidden to take without the parents’ permission, and what can only be taken under supervision.

General recommendations:

• teach the child to properly use piercing and cutting objects (fork, knife, needle, scissors);
• explain how to use some detergents (soap, shampoo);
• teach how to properly handle plumbing, household appliances and electronics - TV, vacuum cleaner, tablet, computer or laptop, switches, faucets.

It is important to instill in a preschooler from an early age that all things should be kept in their place. This way the child will be accustomed to order, and dangerous objects will be less likely to catch his eye. If all the work is done correctly, then soon parents will not have to worry about the safety of the child again.