Health Visitor home safety check - what are they looking for?

[pancakesfortea]

We are about to be subjected to a home safety visit from the health visitor and wonder if anyone has been through it before (or is a HV?) and can tell me what it involves.

DS2 had a very minor fall a few weeks ago - tripped over and bumped his head on the doorframe. All very normal. But a couple of hours later we noticed what looked like a little indentation on his skull so we got it checked out at A&E. It took them about 5 minutes to confirm all was fine and send us home, but we got referred to the health visitor as standard procedure for a head injury. They rang today, asked if the accident took place at home and then asked to come do a home visit.

I won't get started on how ridiculous this is, but I would like to know what they're looking for. I have to confess to my prejudices and admit that in all previous exchanges I have found our local health visitors to be utter morons. They never give considered advice - all they do is follow scripts and checklists. (For the record I'm sure there are lots of marvellous, wise, supportive health visitors out there. Just not round here.)

Given that, if I knew what checklist they were following, it would make the whole charade a bit less stressful.

All insights gratefully received.

[littleducks]

How old is ds2?

I expect it will be checking/discussing stairgates/cupboard catches/knives out of reach stuff

(unless he is older than i presume!)

[tvaerialmagpiebin]

I think it's just standard "procedure" in that if a child visits A&E they are bound to come and see you afterwards. It seems a pain, but some say that if some of the children who died recently from parental abuse had been checked up on in this way, their plight may have been discovered earlier.

I think the important thing is just to be honest, they will probably only be there a few minutes. If they start on the patronising drivel about trip hazards, stairgates everywhere etc. and you don't agree, just nod politely and bite your tongue. Your child is ok, but another one might not be.

[scurryfunge]

Set up little traps to see if they spot them.....no, not really....they are just making sure you have support and advice available if necessary, that is all.

Treat them as a bossy and unwelcome relative....nod and smile and do what you see fit for your child.

[AMumInScotland]

I don't think you have to agree to it at all, but I suppose it's easier to let them come round and do their thing so they can tick their boxes... sigh... useless HVs are such a waste of space.

I don't know what their checklist is, but if I was looking at someone's house for child safety it would be things like -

Stair gates, or at least no piles of things to trip as you go up/down

No major trip hazards in the hallway or when moving round rooms in a normal sort of way

Kitchen cupboards - sharp knives and dangrous chemicals not in reach (all in high cupboards or ones with ctatches

Same for bathroom - any cleaning stuff, ail scissors etc out of reach

Nothing they could grab and pull down - eg kettle to the back of the kitchen surface, no hot pans left on the front of the hob, iron tucked away.

HTH

[pancakesfortea]

Thanks all. He's 22 months and his brother is nearly 5.

I do appreciate the need to nod and smile (and then ignore) - I'd just love to know what they're actually checking for. The woman wouldn't say on the phone - like it's some sort of secret test.

[pigleychez]

My toddlers (23mths) red book has abit about safety in the home. The HV gave me her book so im guessing their checklist will be along those lines.

basic stuff really like others have said really. My red book also mentions, medicines out of reach/view, plastic bags out of reach,socket covers.

Im sure you have nothing to worry about..... your eldest has got 5 in one piece

[dirtgirlworld]

my sister in law's little one had a fall last year and bumped his head-nothing was really said.2months ago he fell again climbing out his highchair.next thing social services were round to make sure she was a fit enough parent!! if it were me id be bloody well annoyed.you're his mum, you know whats safe for him and whats not! hope it goes ok, do lets us know what it was the "secret check" was all about! X

[Jessiemich2010]

My HV just asked me what I was using to keep the house safe I have a stair gate on top of the stairs a stair gate for the living door cos the lo is always crawling into the kitchen when I'm cooking which isn't big enough for me and the baby to be in let alone anyone else lol I have locks on cupboards and drawers and the fridge cos my eldest nearly 3 tends to go pinching the cheese lol and I have socket covers. she just asked questions and told me about things I'd already got lol.
It's only standard that they come to talk to you about safety etc.