Tips for Childproofing Your Daycare Business

All parents are very aware, and typically well-prepared, when it comes to making all the necessary changes to their homes and lives when expecting a child. However, when parents require daycare services, they no longer have complete control over their children’s safety. For this reason, it is vital to try to ensure your daycare, whether within your home or at an official commercial location, it’s properly arranged to prevent foreseeable accidents and injuries, including mental and emotional harm.

Continue reading to learn some helpful tips for enhancing your business’s childproofing strategies, as well as, where you can learn more about your liability in the case that a child is injured under your care, or the care of your staff. 

Daycare Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Daycare Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

As a daycare provider, you are responsible for ensuring the children are fully protected when in your care. Whether out of your house or in an official location, your most important duty is to make sure your premises are safe for children of all ages, as well as adults and staff. If a child is injured as a result of your negligence in this area, then you can be held legally accountable for their losses and damages, such as hospital bills, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. It is also vital to have liability insurance, along with all the proper insurance for running a company, just to ensure you are protected against incidents as well.

Childproofing Tips

You can find countless “childproof” and “child-safe” products on the market, online, and at your local baby stores. Gates, locks, electrical outlet covers, corner rubber bumpers, and more that can be purchased at a reasonable price. With all this possible merchandise, it can be a little overwhelming when it comes to implementing safety features around your home. But you can prevent serious accidents and injuries with proper preventative maintenance child-proofing.

Here are some of the most important areas of a daycare that should be child-proofed:

☑ Kitchens

Kitchens are not always common in a daycare facility, but if yours has one, it is important to take the proper precautions. Especially in residential daycare settings, kitchens are popular hang-out areas, thus posing more opportunity for kids to be able to access potentially harmful products, utensils, or small appliances. Be sure to acquire locks for heavy appliances like stoves, dishwashers, and refrigerators.

Also, if you use a stove or oven in the presence of children, it is vigilant to mount stove barriers so that open flames, hot grease, water, and oil cannot splash off and burn a little one. Furthermore, it is wise to cover electrical outlets with sliding plastic covers to protect curious fingers from electrocutions or shocks.

☑ Utility Closets and Cleaning Supplies

Along with protecting children from harmful or toxic products, such as pesticides, detergents, batteries, vitamins, and medication, it is important to store cleaning solutions and item in an above cabinet or designated closet, rather than below a sink. If you do use a cleaning closet, be sure to keep it locked at all times.

☑ General Play Areas

This type of area is usually a common grounds for children, like playrooms and living rooms. This area needs the same type of kid-proofing strategies as kitchens, as well as some additional ones. The first thing you need to do is install plastic covers on any exposed or accessible electrical outlets to prevent electrocution and electrical burns. Also, it is important to install rubber bumpers on corners of furniture to prevent cuts, bruises, gashes, head and brain trauma, eye injuries, and more. For home daycares, another safety feature that you’ll need for these areas are furniture straps, which bolt down top-heavy furniture to the ground, such as T.V.’s, bookshelves, armoires, dressers, liquor cabinets, and more.

Also, one of the most obvious safety feature to have on hand are baby gates. Use these to block off staircases, hallways, laundry rooms with utility appliances in them, and other “off-limit” areas. Now, the last and most-often overlooked, child-proofing feature for a home babysitter has to do with curtains. We are talking about curtain cords. It is important to purchase a cord shortening contraption or a wind-up bracket so that kids cannot choke or strangle themselves.

☑ Bathrooms and Outdoor Areas

For bathrooms, there is plenty you can do. For starters, be sure to install toilet seat locks to prevent drowning accidents. You will also want to turn down water thermostat temperature levels on your water heater to prevent scalding accidents, as well as, install GCFI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet covers to prevent water-induced electrocutions.

For outdoor areas, install netting in between deck and patio posts to prevent tripping and falls. It is also vital to ensure pools are properly covered and locked. In fact, for pools, you should also consider gate locks and drain covers. After all, children between the ages of 1 and 4 have the highest drowning rates according to the CDC. Furthermore, every day, an average of 2 children 14 years old and younger, die from drowning.  

Indianapolis Child Injury Lawyers

To learn more about how to make a personal injury claim for your child who was injured in daycare, call the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 today. Our seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyers can help you understand what you need to know about premise liability, negligent supervision, and more. For clients, we offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700
Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Tips for Childproofing Dangerous Areas of a Home

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Whether you are new to parenting, or you are interested in taking on some babysitting jobs from within your own house, it is important to know which areas of a home to childproof. Common sense will tell anyone to put up baby gates and install electrical outlet covers for curious fingers; but what about the other danger-zones of a home? There are a few areas of a home that can be extremely dangerous to children and toddlers, and should be properly child-proofed for security and safety.

Continue reading to learn the most important areas of a home to childproof, and who to call if your child was recently injured as a result of a negligent care-giver or babysitter.

Living Room

In order to properly childproof a living room or family space, it is important to consider all the areas within that space that are potentially dangerous to toddlers and young children. For example, babies are often intrigued by anything that dangles. This includes pulleys for curtains and blinds. Several toddlers are injured or killed each year from strangulation of blind cords and curtain strings. To prevent this from happening, install a cord-shortener or wind-up tab for strings like these. Here are some more tips that many parents overlook:

• Bolt, Strap, or Secure Top-Heavy Furniture to the Ground or Wall (i.e. bookcases, television sets, etc.)
• Avoid Pressure-Mounted Baby Gates; Use Hardware-Mounted gates for Tops and Bottoms of Stairwells
• Install Rubber Pads on Sharp Corners of Tables, Furniture, and Counters
• Install Electrical Outlet Covers
• Keep Carpets and Floors Vacuumed and Swept at All Times

Kitchen

More than 10 million children each year are admitted to emergency rooms for kitchen related injuries and accidents. When it comes to childproofing kitchens, the same precautions and preventative maintenance apply, but in different areas. Like the living room and family areas, it is wise to bolt or secure top-heavy furniture and appliances so they do not tip over and fall on top of a small child. Baby gates are also a responsible solution for kitchen safety for babies. Use them to shut off access to certain parts of a kitchen, like stairs, railings, and china cabinets. Here are some additional danger-zones to childproof in a kitchen:

• Install Childproof Locks to Stove, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, and Other Kitchen Appliances
• Install Childproof Locks on Kitchen Cabinets
• Lock Up All Cleaning Solutions, Chemicals, and Detergents
• Keep Medicine, Batteries, and Other Hazardous Items in Upper Cabinets
• Install Stove Shields to Prevent Boiling Water Run-Off and Hot Food Splatter
• Install Rubber Corners on Countertops and Sharp Baseboards
• Keep Kitchen Floors Swept and Sanitized at All Times

Bathroom

Just like the living areas and kitchen, the bathroom should be childproofed as well. There are several dangerous items and areas that can cause fatalities and serious injuries to children. Of course electrical outlets should be covered and protected, but there is more to childproofing a bathroom than this. Be sure to dot your “i’s” and cross your “t’s” when it comes to these additional childproofing tips for bathrooms:

• Install GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Outlets Near Sinks and Other Plumbing Fixtures
• Install a Childproof Lock or Latch on Toilet Seats
• Decrease your Home’s Hot Water Temperature Capacity to Below 120 Degrees to Prevent Scalds and Burn Accidents
• Lock Up All Cleaning Solutions, Chemicals, and Detergents
• Install Childproof Locks on Bathroom Cabinets
• Keep Floors Swept and Free of Debris
• Remove All Bathtub Accessories that Could Be Choking or Health Hazards (i.e. loofas, bath salts, razors, towels, etc.)

Backyard

Pool and patio safety should be your number one concern when it comes to childproofing a backyard. Too many drowning and falling accidents occur to young children as a result of poor childproofing. Here are the most important considerations for a childproof backyard:

• Install a Fence Around Pool Decks that Locks
• Install a Durable Pool Cover Along With Drain Covers to Prevent Entrapment
• Empty Kiddie Pools When Not in Use and Always Use Fresh Water for Each Use
• Install Netting in Between Patio Railings and Siding to Prevent Falls
• Know the Plants in Your Yard and Remove Anything Poisonous

If you child was recently injured as a result of poor childproofing in another’s care, contact an Indianapolis Child Injury Lawyer for information about filing a claim. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Exemplary damages include lost wages, medical expenses, hospital bills, wrongful death, pain, suffering, loss of love or companionship, mental anguish, prolonged rehabilitation, funeral expenses, and much more.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn more about filing a child injury lawsuit in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorney, Daniel Craven, is a seasoned personal injury lawyer with decades of litigation and trial experience. He and our professional legal teams are eager to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after your child was injured or taken in an accident. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 and schedule an appointment with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer you can trust, today.

How Do I File a Personal Injury Claim for My Child?

Child Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Child Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Nothing is more horrific than seeing a child in pain, especially when he or she is your own. As parents and guardians, we try our best to protect the most precious things in our lives; however, children are bound to get hurt every so often no matter how hard we attempt to prevent it. Even though it is gut-wrenching and vastly upsetting when your child is injured, fortunately they have rights under the law and you can do something about it.

Most states provide laws that give children virtually the same rights to compensation as they do adults for accidents that involve personal injury. Although these laws differ from state to state, children injured negligently in accidents can pursue compensation for pain, suffering, permanent disability, and more. Parents can also be eligible for remuneration for medical bills and related expenses on the child’s behalf.

Under law, parents and legal guardians are permitted to negotiate or file on behalf of their children as well. If your child or minor under the age of 18 has been hurt in an accident caused by the negligence of another or a product, call a personal injury attorney right away to see if you are eligible for compensation. Continue reading to learn how children injury lawsuits differ from adult lawsuits, and how to file a claim for your injured child.

Child Injury Lawsuits

When the law considers a child in an accident case, they recognize that children lack the mature judgment that adults typically retain. Because of this assumption, the law provides a separate set of rules and requirements when it comes to filing a personal injury claim for children. If you are already familiar with how to file a personal injury claim for an adult, then you are almost fully aware of how a child injury claim carries out. Some chief questions to ask yourself ahead of time include, “Why Did My Child Get Hurt?” “How Did My Child’s Injury Happen?” “Who Was Responsible for My Child When He or She was Injured?” and “Could the Accident Have Been Prevented?” When it comes to filing a personal injury claim for children, be aware of the significant differences in the law. Here are the major differences to lookout for:

Statutes of Limitations

There is a set time period in which a person has the right to file a valid personal injury claim once their accident or injury has occurred. For adults it is a short time frame than it is for children. Although a parent or guardian has more time to file for their children in comparison to an adult filing for themselves, each case is different and is likely to vary. It’s important to consult a licensed and experienced Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorney for specifics surrounding these variances and limitations.

Settlements

In child injury cases, it is mandated that courts must approve all settlements. Children injury lawsuits are complicated, so courts use a comprehensive and prudent approach when overseeing them. Needless to say, they supervise these types of cases very carefully. The reason has to do with looking out for the best interests of the child, or the accused party.

Courts are aware that rewarded compensation can potentially be misspent by parents or guardians. This is why they make sure any remuneration for a minor’s injuries are put into a safe investment or account until they reach adulthood. Once a kid turns 18, he or she is given full access to their money. Other times, these kind of settlements are handed out in structured balances so that a young adult cannot spend it all at once.

A child is prone to a plethora of injuries and harm; including day care injuries, car accidents, playground accidents, and more. Be sure you are aware of your rights as a parent of an injured child, as well as, the rights your child has as an injured victim. Call an Indianapolis Child Injury Law Firm for professional legal counsel to file a personal injury claim following a negligent accident.

Indianapolis Child Accident Lawyers

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. can recover compensation for your child’s injuries, pain, suffering, and more. Call Attorney Keith Blazek, an accomplished Indianapolis child injury attorney, at 317-881-2700 for more information about filing a claim on your child’s behalf. In order to fight for your minor’s rights, you must first enlist the services of a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer. Keith and his partners are the professional child accident lawyers that can win you the compensation your family deserves. You can schedule a free initial consultation to assess your child’s case and determine their eligibility for recompense. Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with a friendly legal representative about filing a child injury claim in Indianapolis, IN or its nearby counties.