To ensure the safety of a young child at home, one must kid proof their home. Information on saving money, materials, and how to protect what.
Childproofing requires lots of thought and hard work. Rest assured, you will feel more at ease once all this work is completed. The life of a child could be at stake making this effort well worth the time and energy.
Limits are a part of a young child's everyday life. However, when your house is child proofed you will have less limits to set and not have to worry each time your child moves from room to room. Keeping a child friendly environment allows the child to explore and satisfy his curiosity without putting him in any danger.
Before you begin, sit down and think of all the hazards that come to mind right off the top of your head. It is best to go room by room. Get down on the child's level, too so that you can see from their point of view. Make a list of what needs to be child proofed in each room. With each house, hazards will vary, however, the items listed here will be a general listing of hazards and the solutions for childproofing them.
In the living area:
*Keep breakables high out of reach.
*Cushion sharp corners on furniture.
*Windows should be either closed and locked or only partially opened so that a child cannot fit through the opening. Do not open windows where a child can climb up and crawl out.
*Secure closet doors.
*Keep poisonous houseplants off the premises.
In the kitchen:
*Keep garbage can out of child's reach.
*No tablecloths.
*Be sure to turn pot handles on the stove inward so that a child cannot reach up and grab it.
*Use child proof locks on cabinets, particularly those with cleaning supplies, poisons and sharp utensils.
*Use the back burners on the stove only.
*Keep emergency numbers readily available.
*Don't leave any object near edge of counter top or table for fear of a child pulling it down on himself.
In the bathroom:
*Keep the medicine cabinet completely secured.
*Keep toilet lid down and locked if so desired.
*Keep your water temperature at 120 degrees to avoid burns.
*Keep the bathroom door closed when not in use.
In the child's bedroom:
*Keep crib rails in the upright and locked position.
*Crib slats should measure no more than 2 3/8 apart. If a soda can fits through the slat, they are too wide and pose a hazard.
*No pillows or stuffed animals in the crib. Heavy quilts and blankets also pose a suffocation danger.
*No furniture that a child can climb on near windows.
*Keep cords and strings from miniblinds up and out of a child's grasp.
If you have a stairway...
*Keep a close eye on your child at all times.
*Block the stairway with a gate.
If you have a porch or a deck...
*Beware of railing that a child can fit through and become stuck or fall.
Things to remember for all areas of the house include keeping electrical outlets covered securely and electrical cords and wires out of a child's reach and sight.
There is no substitute for keeping a watchful eye on your child at all times, however you can make it easier on yourself and your child if you provide a safe, secure and child friendly environment for your child at home.
