The Best Child Safety Products
Keeping a child safe is of utmost importance to any parent. However, doing so in a world equipped for adults makes child safety a precarious undertaking, to say the least. Although most parents decide to overhaul their homes upon the arrival of a first child, the variety of child safety products on the market can seem daunting. Paying attention to certain key features of each product can alert you to the best of the bunch.
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Baby Gates
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A baby gate is the most important child safety product that you can install in your home to prevent your child from incurring serious injuries. Baby gates should be installed at every doorway or stairwell where you would not want a child to go. The best baby gates come attached with hardware to mount to the wall such as nuts and bolts and come in a solid wood or even smooth steel finish Baby gates with flimsy rails are not acceptable; children can pull them apart and lodge their heads in the openings.
Outlet Covers
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Children as young as 6 months and as old as 6 years have an attraction to electrical outlets, so cover every outlet in the home. The best outlet covers have a magnetic door made out of a hard, durable plastic that is too heavy for little fingers to pry open Avoid outlet plugs that are easy for children as young as 2 to pull out of the outlet.
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Cabinet Latches
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Well into a child's elementary school years, cabinet latches are key in almost every room of the house. Cabinet latches should be used to secure kitchen cabinets, entertainment center doors, bathroom medicine chests and any other thin, small door in the home. The best cabinet latches are made of heavy plastic with many deep grooves on the part of the latch attached to the cabinet door.
Cribs
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The best cribs do not have an element that allows the parent to lower one side of the crib to remove the baby or toddler. Although this makes it easier for the parent, over time a toddler can become able to push the side down himself as the side loosens. Also, the best cribs have wheels that lock in in place. And the best ones come with mattresses that are specifically fitted for the particular crib it comes with.
Corner Cushions
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Babies and children that are not taller than the majority of your home's furniture run the risk of seriously hurting themselves if they tumble into a sharp corner on any kind of furniture. The best corner cushions are made out of thick foam and should be placed on every sharp corner in the home. Look for corner cushions with non-staining adhesive and bright coloring that will further alert a child to the presence of danger.
Car Seats
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Most experts agree that backward-facing car seats for infants or toddlers who will be seated in the front passenger's seat are better at preventing airbag suffocation in the event of an accident. The best car seats are easy to install and secure even when vigorously shaken. They come with extremely specific weight limits for each model. These types of car seats might cost more than a one-size-fits-all version, but they are better for your child's safety.
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References
- Photo Credit baby image by Dron from Fotolia.com
