BEST WAYS TO BABYPROOF YOUR HOME HOW TO
BEST WAYS TO BABYPROOF YOUR HOME INSTALL
BEST WAYS TO BABYPROOF YOUR HOME WINDOWS

'Get right down at baby's level and check things out at their eye level,' he says. Keep plug-in appliances, such as toasters and can openers, put away where your child can't reach them.Ĭhild safety expert Dave Riley, PhD, offers additional advice.

Teach your child that the oven is 'hot' and not to touch it.Never leave a boiling pot or sizzling skillet unattended on the stove.Don't let your baby play at your feet while you are cooking.Use the back burners for cooking whenever possible.Turn the handles of pots and pans toward the back of the stove or counter.'You especially want to lock that contain household products that are dangerous because once your child starts crawling, he or she can get out cleaning fluids and drink them,' Cronan says. Keep all medications and cleaning products stored in a locked cabinet.Keep all drawers closed completely so your baby can't shut fingers in them or climb on them.Fasten high bookcases or other tall pieces of furniture to the wall so your child can't pull them down.Put away any unstable or rickety furniture your baby could pull over.Never leave anything on the stairs that you can trip on while carrying your baby.Place the safety gate bar latch on the side away from your child's reach.'Don't put a gate at the top of the steps, because some babies can climb up a gate and fall from an even higher height,' she says.And if you are worried about them getting out of a bedroom, put a gate on that doorway,' Cronan says.

'Put them at the bottom of stairways to prevent them from getting up the stairs.

BEST WAYS TO BABYPROOF YOUR HOME INSTALL

Install gates once they start crawling.

Ready-made or even homemade cushiony devices that go around the hearth also can keep them out of harm's way.

'Purchase a fireplace hearth cover because once kids learn to walk or crawl, they run a risk of falling into a fireplace,' Cronan says.

Check for exposed outlets behind furniture that you may have overlooked.

'As soon as toddlers start crawling, they will try to put their fingers or a bobby pin in exposed outlets and can get a serious burn,' Cronan says.

Cover all unused electrical outlets with safety plugs that snap into outlets.

Don't place furniture or anything that can be climbed on near a window.

BEST WAYS TO BABYPROOF YOUR HOME WINDOWS

Install safety glass in low windows and French doors so they won't shatter if a child falls into them.

Do not place a crib, playpen, highchair, or bed anywhere near blind cords.

Tie up the cords to blinds so that a child doesn't get tangled up in them.

Install window guards or adjust windows so they cannot open more than six inches.

Use doorknob covers on doors that you don't want your child to open.

Put decals on sliding-glass doors so your child won't run into them.

'Babies are fascinated by water,' Cronan says.

Consider purchasing and installing toilet lid locks, she says.

'When you put your baby in the bath tub, it's easiest to avoid any burning problem by keeping at 110°.'

Start by turning down the water temperature on your water heater, advises Cronan.

BEST WAYS TO BABYPROOF YOUR HOME HOW TO

'There's no substitute for somebody watching your child - that's the best way to prevent an injury in babyhood and childhood.'Įach year, more than 4.5 million children are injured in the home, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign.Īnd parents can prevent many common serious childhood injuries by knowing where the dangers lie and how to protect children from them. DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del. Baby-proofing goes hand-in-hand with close supervision,' says Kate Cronan, MD, chief of pediatric emergency services at A.I. To help make this endeavor as easy as possible, WebMD has compiled a how-to guide for baby-proofing.īut remember, 'You cannot create an environment that's 100% safe. J- This Father's Day, give your newborn the gift that keeps on giving - a safe, baby-proof home.

Best ways to babyproof your home