How to Childproof Your Home

It is important that you childproof your home to minimize the danger to an infant. Every extra precaution you can take will help safeguard a young child. It is never too late to get started. There are professional services that you can hire to do the job for you but if you sit down and do your research, you should be able to do just as good of a job (even if it takes you a bit longer then the pros).

Tables

Coffee and other similar tables have sharp corners. Because of their height, coffee tables are extra hazardous because babies will use these tables for balancing as they learn to walk.

To protect the baby, install table cushions to coffee tables. These come in a few varieties, the most common fit on the corners of the table. Others varieties go all the way around the table. This same padding can help soften the edges of a fire place hearth.

Kitchen stoves, dishwasher and refrigerator

Toddler hands are at just the right height to reach burner knobs, pot handles and oven / dishwasher doors. Ovens can be opened and crawled into (would lead to a bad burn if it was turned on). Dishwashers can be opened and an infant can be cut on knives and other pointy objects. Even refrigerators can cause problems as they are airtight and a child could grab an item and choke on it.

You should install locking latches on all appliances that open and close. Burner knobs can be protected by installing knob covers that will prevent a child from turning on burners. As for cooking on the stove, always try to use the back burners and keep pot handles turned inward.

Cabinets and Drawers

Most cabinets and drawers contain plenty of items that can cause a child harm. Sharp objects, medications, and chemicals, as well as numerous other items pose a real danger to infants.

To secure cabinets and drawers from unwanted access, add latches to the insides of the cabinets and drawers. All drawers and cabinets in all rooms should be secured (not just the kitchen and bathrooms). As an additional safety precaution, store chemicals and medicines in an upper cabinet (not under the sink). This will help keep them out of reach.

Plants

There are many common house plants that are poisonous and can cause illness or death. In addition, the soil can also make an infant sick (fertilizers).

Know and label the types of plants you have keep, Avoid using rocks or marbles in potting materials. You can visit the National Capital Poison Center to get a list of poisonous plants.

http://www.poison.org/prevent/plants.asp

Stairs

almost half of all nonfatal injuries to children are from falls. Unprotected stairways and baby walkers account for a large amount of these injuries.

It is imperative to install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs as well as at doorways for rooms that you do not want the infant in. At the top of stairs the gate latch should not be a pressure type. Also keep stairs free of clutter that could cause a fall as a person carrying an infant will have less balance.

Vases and Knickknacks

You can always tell a home that has an infant from one without simply by looking for vases and knickknacks. Glass vases and knickknacks pose a cutting and choking hazard.

All knickknacks and vases should be kept out of the reach of children.

Toilets

Toilets pose a drowning and poisoning hazard to young babies and infants. Toilet sanitizers can be a poisoning concern and could also be harmful to an infants skin.

Secure toilets using a toilet seat latch that will hold down the lid and seat when not in use. This will keep the infant away from the toilet water.

Electrical receptacles

Electrical receptacles pose a shocking hazard and are just the right height for inquiring babies.

Every electrical receptacle should be protected with outlet caps and plugs.

This above list is a good start to childproofing your home. I recommend you also get down on the floor for an infants point of view. You just might see a few other areas of danger that need addressing (and perhaps find a few coins to help pay for childproofing your home).