Falls, trips and slips are
the most common accident in the home, especially as get
older. You are less likely to fall and injure yourself if you
keep physically active, eat a healthy diet and have a warm
uncluttered home.
Some tips to remember are:
- Have regular eye checks
- Take medicines as prescribed and make sure your
GP checks them from time to time.
- Throw out those sloppy slippers and wear well
fitting foot wear.
Living in a cold home can affect
your health. The Warm Front Team is a government funded scheme
which provides grants to make your home warner, healthier and more
energy efficient. Grants are available if you live in your own home
or are renting privately and are on certain benefits. Who is
eligible?
The home is the commonest
place for accidents in very young children because this is where
they spend most time.Children love to explore as they grow and
develop but sometimes this can lead to accidents. Many can be
avoided by taking, often simple measures. Burns and scalds can be one of the worst injuries for
children because of the scarring on the skin. Remember
to:
- Always run cold water into the
bath first and warm it with hot.
- Never leave young children
alone in the bath, they might decide to turn the taps on.
- Watch hot drinks very carefully
and place them out of reach. A hot drink can scald a child
for a long time after its been made.
Despite all our best efforts
accidents do happen so learn some basic first aid or even enrol on
a course.
Many children are injured within 5 miles of
their own home, usually because they are not wearing a seat belt or
sitting in a suitable car seat.
Did you know
that adult car seats are designed for people who are 5 feet tall or
over? Adult seat belts tend to rest on a child's stomach and
neck instead of the pelvis and shoulder. A booster seat
positions the seat belt correctly making it safer and more
comfortable. It is better to use
an adult seat belt than no restraint at all but a booster seat
should be used until your child is 5 feet tall or reaches the age
of 11 years.
Holding a child unrestrained on your lap in a
30 mph crash would need the same strength as lifting eight bags of
cement!
The Government are currently running a road
safety campaign - Think!
For help choosing a car seat visit one of the
websites. The Child Accident Prevention Trust produce a list
of frequently asked questions (FAQ's) on their website.