Becoming a grandparent is one of the most rewarding part of getting older, and you’re especially lucky if those little ones come to your house for a visit. Grandpa and Grandma’s house can be lots of fun—but it also can contain a daunting number of hazards for curious little guests. Here are four things to remember:
- Childproof your home. Grandparents whose grandchildren visit frequently usually take steps to remove hazards and install child safety features. But when grandchild visits are infrequent, it’s just as important to make the home safe, right from the beginning of the visit when everyone is distracted as they enjoy the reunion and catch up on news. Give your home a child safety inspection before the children arrive. Seattle Children’s Hospital has a checklist you can review. And remember: No gadgets or modifications can take the place of close supervision of children.
- Avoid the attitude of “well in my day, we thought that was safe.” If you have old equipment, such as a car seat, crib or baby gate, chances are it no longer meets current safety standards. And if you’ve saved treasured playthings from when your own children were young, inspect them carefully for sharp edges, or for small parts that could cause choking. Some heirloom toys are best kept out of reach. Consult with the children’s parents and be open to suggestions. Don’t get your feelings hurt if your kids correct you. They’re Mom and Dad now, and they’ve no doubt done a lot of homework on the topic of child safety. Be proud of them!
- Have a safe medication storage strategy. According to the Centers for Disease Control, almost 40% of children treated for poisoning in the emergency department had ingested their grandparent’s medicine. Keep medications in child-resistant containers, remembering that “child-resistant” does not equal “child-proof.” If you have arthritis, talk to your pharmacist about solutions such as an easy-grip pill bottle opener. Remember that supplements and vitamins also can be dangerous for children and seldom come in safe containers. Day-of-the-week pill boxes are especially attractive to youngsters. The best defense against accidental medicine poisoning is to store all medications in a secure place that is far out of reach of children.
- Practice grandparent safety as well. Children’s toys usually end up all over the floor. They may be hard to see and plenty of them have wheels! Tripping over a doll house or slipping on a marble can cause a debilitating fall for seniors. Pick up toys promptly and encourage children to do so. Be extra careful when walking about the house. Falls are often caused by the unexpected—and with the spontaneity and liveliness of children, we can expect the unexpected at almost any time.
Source: IlluminAge AgeWise
