Child proofing your home is necessary!

Children are naturally curious and sometimes it gets them into trouble.

As a parent the safety and security of your child is obviously uppermost in your mind. You have probably taught your kids safety rules for crossing the road, about stranger danger and these days most kids can recite their names, ages, telephone numbers and addresses by the age of three or four. However, you may not have thought about the need to child proof your home. Danger can lurk in your own home too and this is especially important if you have infants or toddlers who are just starting to stick probing toes and fingers into dangerous places. About 4.5 million kids are injured at home each year so to protect your children it is vitally important that you child proof your home. Now!

Here are some helpful tips on how to do it:

Conduct periodic surveys of your home and make sure that any potential hazards are removed or properly child proofed. More and more items are brought into a home each month and you may not always be thinking about their potential dangers.

Each month survey your house and everything in it. This includes the garage, workshop, home office and garden. This is an inexpensive process as most items may be stored in a locked cupboard or removed completely and any child safety devices you may need are relatively cheap and can be bought at your local hardware store.

To child proof your home and reduce the chance of injury to your children make sure you do the following:

* Fit all cabinets and drawers with safety latches, especially those containing dangerous items, like kitchen cleaners, office stationery (yes!) and car maintenance equipment.

* All medicines or hazardous chemicals should be fitted with a childproof cap. These should always be stored where your child cannot reach them (remember that kids are masters of the art of using chairs to reach high objects) and in a locked cabinet.

* Keep plastic bags (like the ones used for dry cleaning, groceries and clothes packaging) out of reach of children. When you arrive home with your shopping or laundry place ALL bags in a locked cupboard and keep the keys in a locked cupboard or your pocket.

* Check your children’s toys for small parts that could be swallowed and always buy age appropriate toys. If you receive any gifts for your kids that are inappropriate for them, lock them away until your child is older.

If you have older children in a house where there is also a toddler, teach them to keep dangerous toys out of reach of their younger brothers and sisters. Your older kids can help you child proof your home. If your children use a night light always make sure that they can’t access the little plastic bulbs.

* If you display plants in your home make sure they cannot be pulled over. Small children can be injured if a heavy pot or plant topples over and falls on them, so to adequately child proof your home you might want to avoid large, heavy displays until your children are older. Rather hang your indoor garden from high corners of the ceiling.

* If you have a small baby or are preparing for one, make sure you use a crib that meets the current safety standards. Your crib should have a firm, tight-fitting mattress so that your child can not slip between the crack and the side of the crib. Don’t ever place an infant in an adult bed since this puts them at risk for suffocation and strangulation.

* To prevent children from falling down steps install safety gates above and below staircases or to keep them away from dangerous areas like the kitchen when you are cooking. Choose gates that screw to the wall rather “pressure gates” that are less safe.

* Using window guards and safety netting will help prevent falls from windows, balconies and landings. Note that window screens are NOT effective in preventing children from falling out of windows.

( Make sure your children are safe! )

Also, if you do use window guards, make sure that at least one window in each room can easily be used in the event of a fire. You want to child proof your home not turn it into a potential danger zone.

* Tie all vertical blind cords high above the reach of your children and ensure that all electrical cords are kept out of reach by running them under a baseboard.

* Bumpers should be used to cushion corners and the edges of coffee tables. Don’t forget the fireplace hearth and other low furniture when you child proof your home.

* Fit the bathroom and bedroom doors with emergency releases on the outside or cover or remove locks, so children can not lock themselves into rooms.

* Prevent electrocution accidents by installing outlet covers and outlet plates on your electrical sockets.

* Reduce the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent burns from hot water. If fact, any appliance that may burn or scold should be off limits so install boundaries when you child proof your home.

* If you own a firearm keep it unloaded and secured in a lockbox, or with a trigger lock. The ammunition should always be kept in a separate, secured area. Make absolutely sure that your children don’t have access to the key.

* If you have a pool at home, install a pool net or cover and teach your children to swim from an early age. Educating your children is a very effective tool when you seek to child proof your home so don’t forget to talk to your kids, especially the older ones.

Finally, and probably the most important safety tip of all: Never underestimate how smart your children are or how inquisitive they can be. Rather go overboard when you child proof your home than be caught unawares by a nasty or even fatal accident. Once you have conducted your home survey and addressed any potential problems you will feel more relaxed in your home and be able to allow your children the freedom they deserve. Child proof your home today and avoid an accident tomorrow. Start now.