Child Proofing your Home

Protecting your family with safe and secure home is of utmost importance.  If you have children you know those little hands are into everything no matter how dangerous.  To safeguard the child from the everyday dangers of the house and to provide you with a sense of security that you’re protecting your child, you should definitely consider child proofing. Here are some tips to get you started.

1.      Outlet Covers– If the baby sees a hole and has a prodding object, you better believe that it’s going in the socket. This is the easiest fix of all and includes buying hard plastic caps that go over the empty sockets. Just make sure that they fit. If it’s too big it can be pried off or could become a choking hazard if it’s too small.

2.      Baby Gates – There are several small steps that connect the kitchen to the laundry room in my house. So when my 1-year-old niece comes to visit, that baby gate goes up. The last thing I want is for her to take a tumble down those stone steps. Gates are also great for keeping the child out of unwanted areas, like ones with power strips, chemicals, or anything else that could harm them.

3.      Pool and Spa Barriers – If you have a pool or hot tub in your back yard, it’s important to place something like a fence around it. Sliding glass doors that lock are not particularly effective. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that it be at least four feet tall to prevent any accidents.

4.      Cabinet Latches – Many people keep chemicals under the sink for cleaning. Many of these are poisonous if ingested. The best way to keep the child safe is to store them up higher. But if your space is limited, purchase some cabinet locks designed to keep children out.

5.      Window Blind Cords – Many people don’t think about this one. Nearly everyone has at least one window blind in their house and those small pull cords can be a real danger to children. To avoid strangulation, make sure that the cords are placed high and away from anywhere the baby can reach. If purchasing new blinds keep the baby in mind and ask for ones designed for safety.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has many other simple and effective ideas for child proofing your home, including adding bumper guards to sharp corners. Children get into everything, touch everything, and taste most other things. The best way to keep your family safe is to make the home as harmless as possible.

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