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How to Child Proof Your Home in One Day
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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