Relatives’ homes not always childproof, cautions Safe Kids Kansas

"People who are grandparents today grew up in a world without car seats, smoke alarms or bike helmets, but also fewer cars on the road and fewer fire hazards in the home. Parents of young children need to let their own parents know that important changes have been made in childcare," says Jan Stegelman, Safe Kids Kansas coordinator.

Accidental injury remains the number one killer of children ages 14 and under, but modern safety devices contributed to a 45-percent drop in accidental child deaths from 1987 to 2002.

A grandparent’s home might not be "childproofed" with safety gates on the stairs, locks on the cabinets, a fence surrounding the pool and all potential poisons including medicine, cleaning products and alcohol locked out of reach.

"Before a child comes to visit, a relative who doesn’t have young children at home should look for potential hazards at and below a child’s eye level," says Stegelman. "Pick up any small objects that could be a choking hazard, tie the cords of window blinds out of reach and lock up any matches or lighters."

Safe Kids Kansas offers these reminders for grandparents who baby-sit occasionally:

• Under Kansas law, all children must ride in a rear-facing child seat until they are at least 1 year old and 20 pounds. Children ages 1, 2 and 3 must be properly restrained in a forward-facing child seat. Children ages 4, 5, 6 and 7 are required to ride in a booster seat unless the child weighs more that 80 pounds or the child is taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Children ages 8 through 13 must be protected by a seat belt. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, and don’t hesitate to call the manufacturer’s toll-free number if you have any questions. Kids under age 13 should always ride in the back seat.
• In a car, always buckle up yourself your grandchildren learn by watching you!
• Set your water heater to 120 F or below to prevent scald burns.
• Make sure your grandchildren always wear a helmet when riding a bike, scooter, skateboard or inline skates. For skating and scooters, kneepads are also recommended. (Caregivers need to wear proper safety equipment too remember, you re a role model!)
• If there are firearms in the home, store them unloaded and locked up, and lock the ammunition in a separate place.
• Keep the number of the Poison Control Center hotline, 800-222-1222, next to every phone in the home.
• Learn first aid and CPR.
• In any hazardous setting on a playground, around pools or water, in the kitchen, near traffic, or near stairs or unlocked windows, for example children should always be under active supervision, in sight and in reach at all times, with an adult paying undivided attention.