Measures to prevent accidents at home

During the holidays, accidents at a home increase by 30%. We leave you some steps to avoid accidents at home. Protect your little ones! Read these measures to prevent accidents at home.

The hustle and bustle of the holidays, the preparations for family dinners, the decorations in the home force us to take care of our little ones. These are some measures to prevent accidents at home. Follow them and take care of your little ones! Figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) indicate that the first cause of death in 2020 among children between 1 and 4 years of age were accidents, while the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) indicates that during winter holidays increase the accidents of children at home by 30%, with burns and falls. Intoxication is the major injury suffered by our little ones.

Civil Protection details that accidents with Christmas trees caused 60% of homes’ fires registered in December. As if that was not enough, the Ministry of Health of the government of Mexico City (Sedesa) warns that burns in children increased 30% due to the burning of pyrotechnics, leaving injuries to hands and fingers and hearing loss.

We must apply preventive measures to protect our little ones in these situations. The National Center for Disaster Prevention (CENAPRED) and the IMSS provide some recommendations for this season:

In the kitchen

• Prevent your little ones from playing in the kitchen, not even near it.
• Keep children away from the stove or heater.
• Do not carry a child while cooking.

Christmas trees and safe Nativity sets

• Place them on firm bases so that they are away from corridors and drafts.
• Do not place lighted candles as part of the decoration, as they can cause fires.

Watch out for Christmas lights

• Use LED-type bulbs since they consume less energy.
• Check that the contacts are not damaged and do not overload them.
• If you leave the house, turn off all the lights.

Safe piñatas

• Use cardboard piñatas to avoid bumps or cuts.
• Take precautions when hitting it.
• Avoid stuffing them with heavy or pointed objects.
• Hold it firmly and outline the area.

Prepared for emergencies

In addition to these measures, it is essential to plan for these situations, to be better prepared if an accident occurs. Leonardo González, a Real Estate analyst at Propiedades.com, recommends having an emergency plan to be better prepared to resolve them.

This emergency plan at home must have the following points:

• Simulate evacuation routes inside the house.
• Identify problem areas and those that could cause accidents.
• Always have emergency telephone numbers and contacts at hand.
• Create a procedure plan among the whole family and assign roles.
• Implement internal measures to act promptly.
• Repair damage that could cause accidents.

This season is one of the favorites for many people; let’s enjoy the holidays with caution, let’s follow the rules to protect the little ones at home.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver

Spanish version: Here

We recommend: Home remedies to raise the body defenses

How do home pregnancy tests work?