Reading books by medical or child behavioral professions is preferable to reading something prepared by a company with something to sell. "There are books out there but many of them are founded or supported by the manufacturers. You definitely get one-sided input," says Altman.
When looking at websites for information, to avoid getting sold products instead of good, reliable advice, try a search for sites ending in .org rather than .com. An exception would be mayoclinic.com which has a nice baby proofing section with helpful information. Another good exception is webmd.com. However, one of the better sites is the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website at www.cpsc.gov.
Another good resource to check would be your local home extension office. They should have helpful information, possibly brochures to help you with your baby proofing questions and concerns.
Consumer Reports has a special book devoted to baby products which is updated yearly, and also contains product recalls that interest parents. They also have a website at www.consumerreports.org which contains lots of articles and reviews of children's products, particularly with safety issues in mind. They even have an article on child proofing products, and which ones failed the safety tests.
"Education is the key component, because the more you know the better you can provide a safe space for your children," says Altman.
A trip to the local bookstore, or online book vendor, or library is certain to yield a number of titles. Keep in mind, however, that as helpful as a book on baby proofing may be, this type of book needs constant updating. Use a book as a baseline guide to baby proofing, but stay up on the latest developments, newest products, and most recent recalls by reading the Consumer Reports and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission websites. Then scribble into your main baby proofing book updated information as you find it.
Sometimes local organizations hold children safety fairs or events and share brochures or even safety or baby proofing tools. Take advantage of these opportunities to glean more knowledge and to get free safety products. Also, these are often fun family outings that don't pinch the family pocketbook.
Your local police department may also have helpful brochures or programs to help families with different safety issues, from car seat safety to children's bike safety to children's ID events. Watch your local paper for any clinics your local law enforcement office may be sponsoring.
Or course, if you hire a professional company to baby proof your home, they should have plenty of helpful information for you, and their info should be up to date and complete.
Ask them for any books, articles, websites or events that they would recommend for parents trying to baby proof their home.
