How to Child-Proof a House

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:ChildProofHouse
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How to Child-Proof a House

Introduction

For the first six months or so of a child's life, he is completely dependent on you for...well, everything! However, when mobility kicks in, so do the challenges of keeping your child safe. It is time to take an inventory of possible dangers once a child can roll, crawl or pull up to things. Here are some helpful suggestions for child-proofing a house.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Crawl on the floor on your hands and knees. Things really do look different from this perspective, and you can get an good idea of the things that might be appealing to your child.
2

Step Two

Place protective coverings in all electrical outlets to prevent your child from sticking her finger or an object in the holes.
3

Step Three

Move valuables on coffee tables and end tables to higher shelves, or temporarily put them away. If it holds some type of value to you and it can be broken, that will most likely be the item you child heads for first.
4

Step Four

Store household chemicals on higher shelves or cabinets. Do not leave them under sinks in the kitchen or bathroom.
5

Step Five

Keep baby products such as powders, lotions and oils out of child's reach. We often keep these on the lower shelves of changing tables for accessibility and convenience, but these products can be just as dangerous to children as other household poisons.
6

Step Six

Attach dressers and armoires to the wall with an anchor strap to avoid tipping over if a child pulls or climbs on the furniture.
7

Step Seven

Keep all medicine out of reach of children. This should include any children's vitamins as they can overdose or choke on these as easily as they can on any adult medication. All medicine should be in their original bottles and have child-proof lids.
8

Step Eight

Protect your child from the edges of furniture or fireplace hearths by covering the edges or corners with foam. These can be purchased from a baby supply store or department store.
9

Step Nine

Install gates that meet current safety standards at doorways that lead to stairs or basements.
10

Step Ten

Keep the toilet lids down or close the door to the bathroom. Toilet lid locks may be purchased from baby supply stores. Never leave water in the bathtub or a bucket as this poses a drowning hazard.
11

Step Eleven

Check the hot water heater, and set the temperature setting to 120 degrees or lower to avoid scalding.

Tips & Warnings

  • Safety latches may be purchased for almost any cabinet, door knob or household appliance.
  • Be sure your child's crib, toys and high chair meet current safety recommendations especially if they have been handed down to you.
  • Teach a young child about safety by redirecting them to something else with a brief explanation.
  • Never leave your small child unattended in a room.
  • Be aware of safety concerns at someone else's home, and keep a close eye on your child if the home has not been child-proofed!
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