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Kitchen

  • Never allow a child in the kitchen while you are cooking or are otherwise distracted.
  • Install childproof latches on cupboards, drawers and appliances.
  • Place knob covers over stove knobs.

Bathroom

  • NEVER, NEVER leave a child under 6 years of age in the bathtub alone. A child can quickly drown in only 2 inches of water. Never leave another child in charge of an infant in a bathtub.
  • Place bathmats or non-skid appliqués on the bottom of the bathtub, or use a safe bath seat made specifically for baby bathing.
  • how to keep baby safe in the bathCheck the temperature of the water. Infants and children are much more sensitive to temperature than an adult. Use one of the many products available for temping bath water.
  • Apply a toilet lock and latches on doors and drawers in the bathroom.
  • Keep razors and bath products out of the reach of children.


Living Room and Hallways

  • Check furniture for sharp corners and edges. Attach soft bumpers and guards to protect your child from bumps.
  • Attach door knob covers to keep children from getting into unsafe places.
  • Bolt large furniture to the wall to keep it from falling on top of children.
  • Use a gate that can be fixed to the hall as opposed to tension based gate to block off unsafe areas and stairs.
  • Assess your TV stand. Would your TV topple over if your child tried to climb the stand to get to it? Sometimes you have to sacrifice furniture and your room layout to make it safer for your child.

Keeping your child safe in your home is a continuous process and no amount of locks and latches can take the place of good supervision. If you are still concerned after researching, try hiring a home safety expert. These experienced consultants come into your home and do the work for you.

Visit the following websites for more information about keeping your child safe.
http://www.safekids.org/
http://www.babyproofingplus.com

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Making your home safe for your child can be very intimidating because you worry about forgetting or overlooking something. I have found that my young child shows me everyday what I’ve forgotten to protect him from. Get down on your child’s level everyday and look at each room as he would. It will give you a great perspective on hidden dangers. When you find something unsafe, don’t wait! Fix it today. Here are a few ideas to think about when making your home safe for your little one.

Bedrooms
  • First Candle/SIDS Alliance and the American SIDS Institute want all parents and caregivers to be aware of simple ways to reduce the risk of SIDS for your child. SIDS can happen during a short naptime or in the middle of the night. Always place infants on their backs to sleep and do not put anything in the crib with them. Click here to visit First Candle/SIDS Alliance for more information about reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
  • Make sure your crib, mattress and bedding meet the latest standards for safety. Hand-me-downs are great, but standards have changed over the years so be sure your freebies are safe.
  • Put safety latches on windows. Check where your furniture is. Try not to put furniture in front of windows that will allow your child access to it. Avoid putting furniture near a crib that can entice a child to practice his climbing skills.how to babyproof your home
  • Place finger guards and stoppers on doors. Bi-fold doors offer a unique challenge. There are products available to keep children from opening them and pinching little fingers.
  • Install window blinds that do not have cords, or use products that wind up cords to prevent strangulation.