I have worked in the emergency room and pediatric intensive care for 30 years and every spring we have a repeat of the same kinds of preventable pediatric accidents. Here are 5 tips to consider as you spring clean and spruce up the inside of your home for summer. Keep these tips in mind to keep your children safe.

1. Every year we see children strangled with long window shade cords. When cleaning blinds and shades, keep cords secured to a proper hook or with twisty ties so curious youngsters don't get tangled or play with these cords.

2. Another accident that is easily preventable concerns your electric sockets. As you paint, wash walls, or just spring clean, make a note of which plugs do not have safety plugs. You can buy these small plastic plugs at any hardware, and they do prevent toddlers from sticking toys or other small items into those sockets, thereby preventing electrical shock and burns.

3. Put all cleaning supplies in a cabinet that can be secured with child proof locks. Although we should all be cleaning with "green" products that are non-toxic, the truth is all products can burn a child's hands or eyes if not used properly. Get in the habit of keeping those kinds of supplies high and out of reach or behind a child safe container.

4. With spring here and windows open two common accidents can occur. One involves children leaning into screens that are not secure and falling out of windows. I know, it may sound like I am over-reacting, but moms, I can't tell you how many children I have taken care of for face injuries or broken bones from these kinds of falls. The other injuries we see often involve window fans. Several accidents can occur. Children are fascinated by the breeze a fan creates and they stand too close and put fingers into the fan to feel the air. Finger injuries are less severe with the safety blades fans are manufactured with, however, fractures and bruises still occur. The other injury I have seen with fans is caused when children get caught in the electrical cords. The kids get their feet tangled and sometimes pull the fan out of the window onto themselves. Care with where the fan is plugged into can prevent these type accidents.

5. The final accident I want to prevent is head injuries when children pull or climb onto a television cabinet. This is a serious accident and I have personally taken care of 6 kids so far this year who have climbed or reached for something on the TV and it toppled onto them. Keep in mind the weight of a TV and that it is top heavy if placed on a light weight dresser or stand. The injuries I have seen range from facial bruising to a severe brain injury where this child may not be able to walk and talk.

These accidents can occur in any home because children are by nature, curious. If we keep these tips in mind, it will help prevent these accidents and spring cleaning is the perfect time to reassess the safety of our homes. Happy Spring.

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