Childproof your home - an essential step to proper parenting. Here are some childproofing tips that will help make any home safer.
When a new child arrives in a previously childless home, many changes take place, not the least of which is the need for childproofing. Small hands are curious and want to explore EVERYTHING - most of which ends up in the mouth. To help prevent tragedy in the home, consider these tips to child proof your home:
1. Install stopping devises to child proof your cabinets. These allow the cabinets to be opened only a small amount by the child. By reaching inside and unlatching, the adults can open the cabinet when needed.
2. Childproof with outlet protectors. These plastic pieces plug into and cover the outlet, protecting it from any objects the child may want to poke into it.
3. Childproofing means all sharp objects are put away. Those not used to a child in their home often leave scissors on tables, razors on tubs, and kitchen knives on counters. These are all potential tragedies with a small child around.
4. Stairs can be childproofed with a safety gate. Install a safety gate with a latch until the child is old enough to safely climb up and down the stairs.
5. Keep breakables out of reach. The child's age and whether he/she is just visiting or a member of the household will determine the extent of reachable breakables. As your own child grows, you will want to teach him/her what should not be touched. For very small children or visitors, however, it does not hurt to move that priceless statue out of reach.
6. Keep poisons up high and out of reach.
7. Plastic is more child proof than glass. As a general precaution, if there is a choice between glass and plastic containers, cups, etc., choose plastic. It bounces rather than breaks.
There are numerous steps that can be taken to make your home safer. For more ideas, just speak with anyone raising a small child.
