If you’re a new parent, you’ve already noticed just
how much of your life changes with the introduction of baby. Rest
assured there are plenty more changes in store for the next 18 years or
so.
But early on, one of the things parents need to address is the child-
proof home. As soon as a baby can roll or crawl, home safety hazards
need to be removed.
"It’s not as impossible as it might sound," says Laura Fitzmaurice, MD,
chief of Emergency Medicine at Children’s Mercy Hospitals and
Clinics. "With some common sense and some time, you can make
your home a relatively safe place for your children."
All around the house
To begin the process, look around your home from the perspective of a
small child. Remember this is his world and he’s a natural-born
explorer.
Crawl around with your head near the ground. Observe how your baby
might climb onto unsafe places or grab or pick up unsafe objects.
Cover unused electrical outlets with safety caps.
Tie up all appliance and telephone cords and cords from window
treatments. These can dangle down in baby’s way and lead to problems.
Keep all guns, firearms and ammunition far from the reach of children.
The same goes for matches.
Install a hearth guard over your raised hearth. Place guards in
front of open fireplaces, wood stoves, heaters, floor furnaces and
steam radiators. Place space heaters where they can’t be tipped over by
baby.
Put a guard in front of floor fans.
Avoid tall shelving units. Knickknacks that fall from high shelves
can injure a crawling baby.
Keep the baby away from glass shelving, ash trays and glass
trinkets.
Check all low furniture, such as coffee tables, for sharp edges.
Safety edges and corner bumpers are available at hardware stores.
Place bulbs in all empty light sockets.
Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Keep stairs clear
of clutter.
Move furniture away from windows so your child will not climb up
and out of them. Windows open just five inches can pose a danger to
children.
Keep all small items, such as button, pins, screws and coins, out
of baby’s reach.
If you have an older child, keep small parts of his toys out of a
baby’s reach.
Keep dry-cleaning bags, plastic grocery sacks and other thin
plastic wraps away from small children.
Never leave a hot iron unattended. Even a cold iron can be
dangerous.
Keep plants away from baby. Some plants are poisonous.
Install smoke detectors on each level of your home.
Keep cigarettes, lighters and alcoholic beverages away from
children. Or better yet, don’t allow them in the house at all.
Remove locks from children’s doors. Place high hooks and loop
latches on doors kids should not enter.
Avoid bi-fold closet doors. They can pinch baby’s fingers.
Be sure your garage door opener will stop automatically.
