It is never to early to start childproofing your home, it is recommended that it be done when your child is around 3 months of age, before he/she can crawl. Don't wait for your child to start opening cabinets or trying to climb the stairs before you childproof your home. Do it as soon as you can, and as thoroughly as possible to help prevent the number one cause of injury to children (unintentional injuries).
There are several items that you may need in order to properly childproof your home. Here are a few suggestions of the most commonly needed items. Your home may need more or less of these items.
1) Baby Safety Gates: Safety gates are to help prevent falls down stairs, and to block off rooms or areas that may be unsafe for a child. For the top of the stairs, use gates that install into the walls with mounting hardware (screws). Pressure gates can be used to block off rooms, and to block baby from climbing up the stairs. If you have molding, banisters, hollow walls, or wrought iron where you need to install a gate, you may need to purchase a gate installation kit to create a mountable surface for your gate.
2) Locks and Latches: Cabinets and drawers can house very hazardous materials that could harm your child. Safety locks and latches help secure cabinets and drawers that may have items that your child should not have access to (such as cleaning products, cosmetics, medicines, sharp objects like scissors or knives, etc.).
3) Outlet Covers, Outlet Plates, and Outlet Plugs: These items can help prevent electric shocks. Outlet covers are generally for outlets where you consistently have an item plugged in (like a lamp), but don't need frequent access to the outlet. Outlet Plates are generally used for outlets that you frequently plug and unplug items into (i.e. where you would plug in the vacuum). Outlet Plugs are great for filling outlets that don't get used often.
4) Window blind cord wraps: Help shorten the excess cord from window blinds that can be a strangulation hazard to a child.
5) Door Locks and Door Knob Covers: Help prevent access to areas or rooms that your child should not have access to (such as garages, patios, etc.)
6) Toilet locks Children can drown in very small amounts of water, including water in the toilet. Toilet locks install onto the toilet to help keep the lid closed, and children out.
7) Table Edge Guards and cushions: Applied to sharp corners and table edges can help minimize the bumps and bruises caused by falling onto tables and running into sharp corners. Most can also be used on fireplace hearths!
8) Window Guards: Installed into the windows of second story (and above) rooms can help prevent falls from windows. Window guards can be removed by an adult in the event of an emergency!
9) Smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: There should be a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector mounted on every floor of the home
Buying products isn't the only thing that childproofing consists of. It also means moving things, putting things out of reach, locking things away, using safe, healthy practices, and supervising children. Talk to other parents, find out what they did to safeguard their children, ask your child's pediatrician for childproofing tips that are appropriate for your child's age, do everything you can do to become more educated on what it takes to keep your child safe at home!
This article provided by the childproofing experts at Totsafe. Please visit Totsafe at www.totsafe.com for more childproofing products and toddler safety information.
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