Around the country, decisions are being made about the upcoming academic year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand that this is a trying time for both educators and parents. With parents juggling working from home and helping children with virtual learning, common household hazards have been exacerbated during the pandemic. Here are some tips:
- If you have multiple children of different ages schooling at home, keep smaller toys for older children away from younger children. If a toy or part of a toy can fit into a toilet paper roll, it’s too small for children under age 3.
- Put cleaning products and disinfectants in locked cabinets or out of reach.
- Install cordless window coverings as window covering cords are a strangulation hazard to children.
- Keep magnets away from children and babies as they pose an ingestion hazard.
Check out our full guide of safety tips: Protecting Children While ‘Sheltering In Place’.
Here are some more back-to-school tips if your kids are returning to in-person learning:
- Parents and teachers should choose crayons, markers and glues that have the ACMI-AP label, which certifies that it is non-toxic.
- Check out these backpack safety tips from org: use both shoulder straps, and tighten the straps.
- If your kids ride their bikes to school, they should always wear helmets, and never buy used helmets because if a helmet has been involved in a crash it will not protect your child a second time. Only use a helmet that fits on your child’s head with little wiggle room and with the strap tight.
- Check your children’s back-to-school products for recalls at the CPSC’s website, and report any unsafe products at gov.
We hope you and your children have a safe and enjoyable back-to-school season. Comment below and let us know what steps you’re taking to ensure your children have a safe school-at-home environment!
