Child Proof Your Home
Many young children are injured or even killed each year by accidents parents would never think could happen. Below is a list of ways to Baby Proof your home.
- Crib Mattresses must fit tightly in the crib; there should be no gaps.
- Place the baby/toddlers bed away from windows and make sure there are no pull cords your child can reach. A window breaking over your child is something you want to avoid.
- Shorten all drapery and blind cords.
- Do not put pillows, stuffed animals, heaving blankets, added items for soft bedding, or heating pads in your child’s crib.
- Crib slats should be 2 3/8 inches apart.
- Never leave your child on a high surface. Use the safety belts on the changing table.
- Playpens should have mess sides and the holes should be less than ¾ inch apart. If you buy a used one make sure there are no tears in the mesh.
- Use Safety Gates at the top and bottom of stair cases. Make sure they are installed correctly and make sure there are no gaps. Use safety gates to prevent children from going out on patios or anywhere you do not want them to be.
- Any and all small objects should be moved, or removed, to prevent a choking accident. If any item can fit through a cardboard toilet paper roll it can choke your child.
- Avoid giving young children Grapes (unless you cut them up), raisins, hard candies, nuts, popcorn, bite size pieces of licorice, and small pieces of hotdogs. Any food that could easily lodge in your child’s throat should be avoided.
- Make sure all matches and lighters are out of your child’s reach.
- Make sure pot handles are not sticking out over the stove where children can try to grab them.
- Use an oven lock if your child can reach your oven handle or tries to play with your oven.
- Make sure no electrical cords or wires are accessible to your children. Power safety covers can help if you must have cords out.
- Never leave a child alone in the bath tub.
- Use toilet locks.
- Use a pool safety fence.
- Use window locks.
- Keep all hot liquids away from children.
- Make sure all small appliances, like deep fryers, are pushed back on your cabinet as far as possible. Make sure their cords are back also.
- Do not let your child play with items that are not hot now, but could be hot later such as radiators, stoves, space heaters, and heating vents.
- Use anti-tip furniture straps on all pieces of furniture that could tip over if your child tried to climb on it.
- Receptacle plugs or child resistant outlet covers should be used throughout the house.
- Remove plastic caps on doorstops; you can buy baby proof doorstops.
- Use padding on hard edges such as fireplaces, coffee tables, desk corners, and furniture corners.
- Buy a fireplace baby gate if you intend to use it.
- Remove the bumper pad from the crib when your child is able to get on all fours. Bumper pads can be used as a step stool to climb out of the crib.
- Remove mobiles when your child is getting tall enough to almost touch it.
- Make sure any dangerous chemicals are locked up.
- Lock up all medication and vitamins- both can kill children.
- Cleaning supplies and alcoholic beverages need to be out of the child’s reach.
- Move live household plants and flower. Many are toxic or the fertilizer used my cause toxicity.
