Having properly installed and maintained smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and training in lifesaving CPR skills are things all homes should have in place prior to baby's arrival.
However, with other baby proofing concerns, "Usually four to eight months of age is a good time to start. The issues we look at are from when the child becomes mobile and begins crawling," says Mark Altman, a baby proofing expert and owner/founder of The Childproofer.
Another key time is around age five. "Kids start to look at life differently beginning at school age. The number one cause of death is still unintentional injuries, even as they get over the age of five. But the issues change because of their skills."
So while you might go over your home thoroughly when your child is still an infant, don't expect the baby proofing to last throughout childhood. As children grow and their skills develop, new dangers in the home will surface and need to be addressed.
"From four months to until after five years are busy times. I think, speaking as a dad, between two and three years was the most challenging time. My children were walking, could open doors, could climb, and would jump first and think second," says Altman.
Don't expect that as a child grows discipline alone will keep little ones safe. They are growing up and learning more about consequences, but their brains are not ready to assume such an awesome responsibility as keeping themselves safe. That's the parent's job.
Also, don't rely on the fact that they couldn't figure out how to unlock the gate last week. This week may be a whole new scenario. Count on little ones to surprise you with how quickly they change and grow. Your child proofing has to keep up.
Some general trends can be observed, however. "Rates of accidents are much higher for boys versus girls. The rate of accidents is basically broken down at 60 and 40; 60% being boys and 40% being girls," says Altman.
Maintaining a child proof home isn't always easy, and is always individual. Everything depends on your style of parenting, your budget, your lifestyle, your children's personalities, and your home's physical layout.
If you know your child is approaching a new level of motor or intellectual development, or even outgrowing his or her present clothing, it's probably time to reassess the safety issues and update your child proofing. Children will surprise you all the time with what they can master and how quickly. Having layers of protection about your home as back ups will help you keep up with your rapidly growing youngsters. Never rely on the methods that worked for a crawling eight-month-old to work just as well for a much more sophisticated preschooler. You can also never assume a child won't do something just because he or she has never tried it before. Children are predictably unpredictable.
