Childproofing Your Home

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According to the National Safety Council, each year, injuries to children who are hurt in the home result in nearly 20 million visits to physicians and hospitals, 90% of which could be prevented by proper childproofing.

The three best preventative measures are to look for and remove hazards, make sure kids have proper supervision at all times and be prepared for emergencies. Look for hazards in every part of your home, inside and out and never leave small children unattended, Accidents take only seconds to happen, so be prepared for emergencies because they are likely to occur. Keep emergency information handy and make sure anyone caring for your child is prepared as well.

The Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends 12 safety devices to protect your children in your home including:

  • Safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers, Safety Gates on stairways and Door Knob Covers and Door Locks to help prevent children from entering areas with possible dangers.
  • Anti-Scald Devices for faucets and shower heads and set your water heater tem­perature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent burns.
  • Smoke Alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas and a centrally located Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm to alert you to noxious gases and fires.
  • Window Guards and Safety Netting to help prevent falls from windows, balconies, decks, and landings and Tassels on Each Window Blind Cord and Inner Cord Stops on Mini Blinds to help prevent strangulation.
  • Corner and Edge Bumpers to help prevent injuries from falls against sharp edges of furniture and fireplaces and Anchors to avoid furniture and appliance tip-overs that can crush young children.
  • Outlet Covers and Outlet Plates to help prevent electrocution
  • Pool and Spa Barriers completely surrounding the pool/spa including a fence, self-closing, self-latching gates, and alarms on doors that are part of the pool’s gated areaheading or a pool power safety cover.

For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/252.pdf. Also look online under the topic “childproofing” and you will find a multitude of helpful hints and products to help keep your family safe.