Oh Baby, Child-Proofing Your Home
Years ago, parents never really thought about “baby proofing” their home. That’s because back then there wasn’t as much danger lurking in every corner as there is today. Luckily, all it takes is some basic common sense and a few simple procedures to make your home safe. In the end, some parts of your house may look a little prison-esque with new latches and guards, but it’s worth the peace of mind.
Your living space is loaded with all kinds of possible land mines for little ones. Check out the list of danger spots below, then conduct a simple experiment: Crawl around your house on your hands and knees to see it through the eyes of a toddler. Chances are, you’ll spot problem areas you’d normally overlook. Then (on just your two feet this time) visit the babyproofing section of your local hardware store for all their safety solutions. They’re easy to install, but be sure to double check each device to make sure it works. Of course, you’ll still want to keep an eye on your child. Afterall, tots can be pretty resourcefull…just think of how they open “childproof” caps.
What You Need:
All the appropriate babyproofing equipment
Basic installation tools including drill, hammer, screwdrivers, etc.
Area: Electrical outlets
Danger: Shock
Solution: Safety plugs that cover the outlet when not in use. Also, if you must use extension cords, make sure the outlet-part isn’t easily accessible; run it high up on a wall or behind heavy furniture.
Area: Windows
Danger: Falling out
Solution: Latches that lock to the frame and keep the window from opening wide enough for your child to fit through. Also, if your sash cords dangle near the floor, install a hook to hang them higher up–they’re a strangulation risk.
Area: Doors
Danger: Access to other dangers
Solution: Make sure all your doors close tightly and that handles can’t be reached by little ones climbing on nearby chairs or other perches. If they can, put a simple hook-and-eye safety latch high up on the frame.
Area: Drawers
Danger: Slammed fingers and sometimes worse…finding what’s inside the drawers
Solution: Safety latches, installed at the top of the drawer, keep the drawer from opening more than a half-inch or so, unless you reach inside to trigger the latch.
Area: Stairways and ledges
Danger: Falling and sliding
Solution: Gates at the top of the stairs, and at the bottom if your child tends to crawl up the stairs when unsupervised.
Area: Stair railings
Danger: Falling
Solution: If the gap between railings on a stairway or at the landing is wide enough to crawl through you should rig a device to stop kids from doing so. Try netting or ropes (we warned you that this may not be pretty, didn’t we?).
Area: Toilet
Danger: Drowning
Solution: Latches that mount onto the basin can keep the lid closed when it’s not in use. (And, no, we don’t have any tips on training the man of the house to close the lid.)
Area: Bathtub
Danger: Drowning and bruising
Solution: Add non-slip mats on the bottom of the tub and soft-foam spout covers to avoid contact with the metal that can cause cuts and contusions.
Area: Medicine cabinet
Danger: Drug overdose
Solution: Keep the most dangerous medicines at the top of the cabinet or, better yet, in a separate locked container. And keep in mind that to a small child even something “safe,” like vitamins or aspirin, is OD material.
Area: Stove
Danger: Burning
Solution: Knob covers on the stove can foil a child playing with fire, but also make sure a child can’t crawl along the counter to the burners.
Area: Cleaning-supplies closet
Danger: Poisoning
Solution: Latches and locks keep the door from opening but, just to be safe, we suggest moving all cleaning products to high, inaccessible spots. They’re poisonous enough to kill you, who probably outweighs your kid by at least 500 percent.
Area: Shelves, TV stands, etc.
Danger: Falling objects
Solution: Brackets that attach the shelf or appliance to a wall (or other stable surface) keep them from falling on a kid who climbs up it. Again, think about this when doing “the crawl-through inspection.”
Via: TrueValue Company
Tags: How To
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