Nanny GPS: Safety in the Home

Children spend lots of time at home so it's no surprise that lots of accidents happen in the home. From the time your child can move around on their own, you need to start child proofing your home. This is especially important if you are bringing in an Au Pair or Nanny to your home to mind your children. It's the families responsibility to provide a safe working environment for your employees, as well as your children.

Here are some common safety tips for the home. It's also a great idea to get your children involved in the home safety plan.

Some things to watch out for around the home are:

• Pharmaceuticals, cleaning products, paint

  Don't leave anything dangerous children can confuse with drinks or sweets within easy access of children. Never store dangerous liquids in old fizzy drink bottles as anyone visiting your house may confuse this with a drink.

• Electrical equipment

  Use covers on unused powerpoints.

  Teach your children from a very early age about the dangers of electricity. Teach them some basic rules when using electricity. For example, never to use metal objects to remove toast from the toaster or never let your children use electrical equipment near water.

• Protect children from hot things - fires, irons, and cookers

  Saucepans or frying pans on stoves are very dangerous and should be kept out of reach by young children. Cooking safety guards are a great way of keeping young children from reaching to grab hot pots. If you have an open fireplace, make sure you use a fire-screen. Never leave children alone in the kitchen when you are cooking hot meals on the stove.

• Thoroughly clean up any broken glass

• Stair gates

  Install stair gates at the top and bottom of stairs to prevent younger children going upstairs or downstairs without your knowledge.

• Child safety locks on cupboard doors

  Install child locks on low level cupboard doors in the kitchen and bathrooms to prevent them getting into cupboards or bathroom cabinets that contain potentially dangerous items.

• Bolt/Chain on front and back doors

  Install a bolt at adult height on front and back doors to prevent children opening external doors themselves. This will stop them getting out of the house without you knowing or indeed answering the door to people themselves.

• Teach older children to use the telephone

  If you have a landline, teach your children how to use the phone to call a trusted adult in case of emergencies.