Keeping children safe on your watch

by | Nov 4, 2016 | Child Custody, Firm News |

One of the things many couples don’t realize is how different child rearing might be following a divorce. Even if you can agree quickly to all custody matters, you might find yourself surprised at how different it is to take care of a child on your own.

Stay-at-home moms or dads might scoff at this, because they’ve been taking care of children alone while the other spouse works for years. But many times in those cases, you know another person is coming home. At the very least, you have someone to bounce childcare ideas off of or provide a few minutes of oversight while you shower.

Simply keeping your child safe — especially if he or she is very young — can be a challenge when you’re doing it on your own. Understanding some of the most common childhood injuries lets you plan ahead and keep and eye out for risks.

Falls are one of the most common accident types that occur in the home. Make sure your home is safe and appropriate for the age of your children. Put up baby gates if necessary and remove climbing options. Keep walkways and yards clear of tripping hazards. If you move into a new place, take some time to consider how your kids will interact with the environment.

Poisoning is another common childhood injury. Since you might have your kids without another watchful adult around, make sure you keep hazardous chemicals and medications out of reach.

Since you can’t stop every accident from happening, make sure you have a plan. Talk to your ex about which doctor or hospital to use and ensure both people always have copies of emergency contact information and insurance cards. If you’re having trouble reaching this level of communication, consider working with a family law professional to negotiate custody and ensure optimal communication about child safety and needs.

Source: FindLaw, “Ten Things to Think About: Preventing Childhood Injuries,” accessed Nov. 04, 2016

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