A to Z Disease

Overview

Every year in the United States, more than three million children are injured in the home, and two million of them are babies or toddlers. Whether you have an infant or a toddler, there are simple things that you can do around your home to make it safer for your little one.

Steps to Childproofing Your Home

• Make sure all rugs are secured to the floors or have a non-slip pad underneath.
• Put doorknob covers on doors that shouldn't be opened, especially the front door to the house.
• Install finger pinch guards on frequently used doors.
• Make sure there's no peeling or cracking in the paint on your walls.
• Make sure bookshelves are bolted to the wall or are weighted properly so that they don't tip over if your child tugs on them.
• Keep blind cords tied up and secured high.
• If you have stairs, make sure you have a safety gate on both the bottom and the top of the stairs and make sure you buy a safety gate that fastens to the wall with hardware.
• Use protective padding on all corners of furniture, staircases and countertops.
• Use safety latches and locks on all cabinets or drawers that your child might be able to get into. This is especially important when it comes to places where you keep household cleaning supplies, alcohol, or other potentially toxic materials.
• Keep sharp objects, like knives, forks or scissors, away from the edge of countertops or store them away.
• Make sure you have a stove lock and knob protectors installed, so your child doesn't accidentally turn the stove or oven on.
• You can also install a stove guard to prevent your child from reaching the burners.
• Keep small objects like refrigerator magnets out of reach.
• Use outlet covers and outlet plates on any outlet your child could possibly touch.
• Unplug appliances that aren't in use. Make sure to tuck appliance and phone cords away so they are out of reach.
• Put any sharp objects like tweezers or razors behind a locked cabinet along with medications, cosmetics, toiletries and cleaning supplies.
• Never leave your child alone in a bathroom. A child could drown in just one inch of water.
• The toilet should stay closed with a toilet-lid lock installed.

When you child-proof your home, don't forget to check in the nursery. There is much that can be done to make sure it is safe too.

Let's start with the crib:

• The slats on the crib should be less than 2 3/8 inches apart and the string on crib bumpers should be six inches or shorter.
• The crib mattress should be flat, firm and fit snugly in the bed.
• And remove any soft pillows or stuffed animals.
• If you have more than one-story in your home, make sure you have window guards or safety bars on the upstairs windows.
• Keep nightlights away from fabrics, including curtains, upholstered furniture, and blankets.

We're almost done, now here are just a few more tips that you need to know to keep your child safe.

• Install working smoke detectors on every level of your house.
• Also have a carbon monoxide detector near sleeping areas.
• Have a cordless phone available so you never have to leave your child unattended.
• Keep emergency numbers posted by the phone; and
• Finally, memorize this number: 800-222-1222. This toll free Hotline will connect you with your local poison control center.

Child-proofing a home may seem like a big job, but you can do it in a single weekend and provide your child the freedom of a safe environment to explore. Give yourself the peace of mind that comes from knowing you've done everything the safety experts recommend to protect your child from accidental injury around the home.

If you have any questions, visit Safekids.org to find your Safekids coalition and get more advice and details.