Parents and caregivers want
to provide a safe place for their children to live and play but too often child
proofing these areas gets put off. The good news is that child proofing
is not difficult and can easily be completed in one day.
On your first visit to the store you will likely be overwhelmed by all of the products on
the market designed to child proof or baby proof your home. Is every corner and
crevice a danger? You can't child proof the world, but as you continue to teach your
children about safety you may find it useful to reduce the risk of injury in the home
where the child is spending most of the time.
Some child proofing requires no devices, just common sense. Other areas
definitely require the use of a child proofing device. Not all children are the same. If
you feel a certain product would help protect your child from a situation they are more
likely to get into, you may consider adding that to your arsenal as well.
Here are some basic steps for child proofing your home.
Move Cleaners, Medicine and Other Poisons
You need to move any poisonous substance out of the reach of your children. A common
mistake? Keeping cleaners under the kitchen sink or bath products on the ledge of the tub.
While you might think that child resistant caps will protect your children,
you should be aware that the requirements for a child resistant package may mean that at
least 80-85% of children couldn't open them. That means your child might. All poisons and
medicines should be stored in a high cupboard or locked area.
Block Stairways
Not surprisingly falls are one of the biggest causes of injury to young children.
Stairways are particularly dangerous and should always be properly gated. Never use
pressure mounted gates at the tops of stairs since your child may be able to put enough
pressure on them to give way.
Despite having a gate it is important for parents to keep a close eye on children around
staircases.
Keep Windows Safe
Lock windows or use guards to prevent them from opening too far. Screens will not keep
your child from falling out of a window.
Make sure that blind cords are out of reach and the beds, cribs and other furniture are
moved away from windows where a child could climb up and reach. You'd be surprised what
they are capable of.
Outlets, Drawers and Cupboards
There is a huge assortment of products aimed at protecting your children's fingers from
being caught in door hinges, slammed in drawers or by closing cupboard doors. Test out
several products in a children's store that demonstrates how different products are used.
The main purpose should be to prevent an accident but if you find the products difficult
to use you may end up not using them at all.
Small Toys and Other Choking Hazards
Another major cause of hospital visits for small children is choking. Small toys,
batteries, buttons, coins and other objects go straight into the mouths of babies and
toddlers (and even some preschoolers). Prevention is the key. If you have older children
they should be taught to keep small toys out of the reach of younger children. Keep a keen
eye for objects on the floor where your baby is present.
Monitor New Dangers
You will need to be constantly aware of what your child can get access to. As you child
grows and develops they may suddenly be capable of reaching or pulling down items you
didn't think of.
Don't forget that most child proofing devices you can buy are
temporary solutions to prevent the most disastrous accidents. Your children should also be
taught how to behave and where to be especially careful. After all, your children will
likely be in many homes that are not child proofed like yours and their safety will depend
on understanding what's not safe.
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