How to Make Your Home Safe for Small Children

You probably consider your home a safe place, but you might be unaware of certain conditions and products that can harm children, especially the youngest ones. Common sense coupled with some easy-to-use products and tools can make any home safer for everyone. Look for child-proofing products online and at drugstores as well as children's, hardware and department stores.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Place childproof covers on electrical outlets.

2. Keep hallways and exits well lit and clear of obstructions.

3. Shorten cords on window blinds, or use cord windup devices to prevent strangulation hazards.

4. Keep windows and doors locked to keep kids from climbing out or jamming their fingers. Make sure doors that are in frequent use cannot be locked. Use foam devices that cling to the door's edge and prevent crushed fingers.

5. Apply decals or decorations to sliding glass doors.

6. Attach nonskid backing to area rugs.

7. Install a self-latching lock on your basement door.

8. Put safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairways. Gates--especially the one at the top--should be well secured so they won't give way when pushed. Stay away from accordion gates that can pinch fingers.

9. Keep stairs free of clutter. Carpeted stairs are safer.

10. Install locks on windows that prevent them from opening more than 4 inches (10 cm) to keep crawlers and climbers from falling out.

Tips & Warnings

• These are general guidelines for baby-proofing and child-proofing your house. For advice on making specific rooms safe for your child, take a look at the Related eHows.
• Many of these steps are also helpful if you have a physically impaired or an elderly person in your home.
• Never use an electric blanket in a baby's crib or a small child's bed.
• Never leave children 4 years and younger unattended around water (bathtubs, pools, ponds--even large buckets). A baby can drown in seconds in just 2 inches (5 cm) of water.

[Rubinger]

on 8/11/2008 Thought this might interest you:

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