[Accident Prevention] Safety with pets

[HIMBA] Accident Prevention: Safety with pets

There are many benefits to having pets, however they are a different species to us and we need to be careful leaving children with them.

Reasons to be cautious:

Children treat pets like their friends- hugging, touching and telling off like their friends

Children often get close to animals which is different to their social behaviors with other animals

Children and animals can be unpredictable so this is why they can be bitten more than any other population group.

What can you do?

Never leave a child unsupervised with an animal

Ensure your animals are vaccinated, wormed and had flea treatment as per recommendations so they do not pass on any illnesses to your child

Make sure your animal is well cared for, exercised and well fed. Happy animals are often happier in their behavior.

Before you bring a baby into the home, play sounds associated with children in the background to prepare the animal

Bring the cot and pram into the room so that dogs and cats can familiarize themselves

Create a safe space that your pet has if they do not want to be around the baby/child

Do not let animals sit near the cot/pram area as this can cause cot death due to animals sitting on children whilst they are asleep.

Alert medical support if a child has been injured by an animal.

Always wash children’s hands after they touch, feed or care for the animal

Teach and watch your child to make sure they do not run and shout around your dog, invade their personal space, hurt or tease them, or disturb them when they are eating, guarding a toy, sick or in pain. Teach your child how to play nicely with your dog.

SOURCES: CDC/IHV

Author: Abigail Laurie Registered Midwife and Registered Specialist Public Health Nurse, United Kingdom.