At Sentry Window Guards, we understand how dangerous a fall from a window can be. In fact, by law in NYC, anyone with children 10 years or under must have window guards on their windows. On average about 5,000 kids fall each year from windows in the U.S. But did you know that medications are the leading cause of child poisoning? Did you also know a child gets into medications almost always during a moment alone? Here are 6 tips to help you protect your children in your home and keep them safe from medicine poisoning:
- Up and away and out of sight and reach – If you store all medication as prescribed, your child will be safe. Taking the time to store your medications safely is worth the investment in your child’s safety.
- Safe dosing device – Kitchen measuring devices such as a teaspoon or even a kitchen spoon won’t measure the exact amount as a dosing device. Avoid over-dosing your child and use the device that comes with the medication.
- Child-resistant packaging – Keep the medication in the original child-resistant packaging if possible. There is a reason why the medication includes this feature.
- Make storage a habit before baby arrives – Babies as young as 3 weeks old have gotten into medication and landed in the ER. Make it habit before your first born to practice safe storage.
- Reminder tools – If you are afraid you’ll forget medication dosing times and you tend to keep the medicine handy, set an alarm on your watch or cell phone; leave a note on the refrigerator; if dosing times are during the same time as a daily task such as brushing your teeth, store the meds safely nearby; or use a medication schedule card.
- Poison Help Line – Keep the number in your phone and post visibly in your home on the refrigerator or near the front door. Be sure any babysitters or family members have the number as well.
At Sentry Window Guards, our business is to keep children safe by preventing window fall accidents from occurring. We also recognize other dangers in the home such as medicine poisoning. We hope these 6 tips are taken seriously and will help you protect your children from poisoning accidents. For more information regarding our window guard products and our experience and leadership in understanding NYC safety requirements, contact us today!
