Don't Forget Your Child's Safety While On Vacation

A release from Stoneham Safety Officer Joseph Ponzo:

With all the excitement of a family vacation, one could easily forget some of the most important
and simple steps for keeping your children safe. With America’s peak vacation weeks just around
the corner, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has comprised a list of recommendations for vacationing families staying in a rental cottage or cabin.

Check for proper hand and guard rails along all stairways and decks and learn the location of all
the exit routes, door and stairway locations. Place all household cleaners and other potentially
dangerous chemicals in a locked cabinet or closet. Examine all bunk beds for proper installation
and support of the mattresses. Bunk bed guardrails, like crib slats, need to be close enough
together to avoid head entrapment. Carefully inspect the support slats, screws, bolts and welds
on both wooden and metal bunk beds to make sure they are secure and in top condition.

Pay attention to the windows. Approximately 70 children die every year by falling through an open
window. Avoid placing cribs and other low furniture near windows. With double-sash windows,
remember to open them from the top, not the bottom, to let in fresh air. Inspect the rental crib to
make certain it is sturdy, properly assembled and in good condition. Be sure the crib slats are
close enough together to prevent a baby from becoming caught between them. Hand-test the hot
water temperature. A child can suffer third-degree burns in a matter of seconds if exposed to
water above 120 degrees F. Most rental homes do not have anti-scalding devices or renter
access to the water heater thermostat. Make sure the pull-cord loops on older window blinds and
drapes have been eliminated or secured.

By taking these few precautionary steps, you can drastically reduce the chances of your child becoming injured and drastically increase the amount of fun you can have while on vacation.

Remember Safety First!