Safety for the Young and Old
July 17, 2009 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Parenting
While we, as parents, take it for granted that we must make safety for our children a priority, we sometimes resent the changes to our homes when a parent comes to live with us. Perhaps they’re ill, have arthritis, have failing eyesight, are developing Alzheimer’s as my mom did, or simply need the comfort of a family nearby.
However, some of the ways we live may have to be modified to accommodate an older family member. Often these include some of the same safety guides we use for children.
- Ramps instead of stairs
- Gates in front of stairs to prevent nighttime wandering
- Lights that turn off or on automatically
- Hot water temperature lowered
- Faucets that turn off automatically
- Sharp objects out of reach
- Eventually stoves that are unplugged or with burner locks
- Locks on cabinet doors
This is doable to keep your loved ones safe, no matter what the age.
What have you discovered for child and adult supervision and safety?
