Top 10 Ways To Child-Proof Your Home

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

25 Jul 2006 12:41 PM

If you are a parent you know that all it takes is one incident (be it a fall, scratch, bump or bruise) involving your child before you go into overdrive trying to childproof your home. Recently, my 2-year-old discovered how "cool" it was to collect the various battery powered travel clocks we have around our home and hurl them at the picture window. Lovely. The glass breaking wasn't my main concern (luckily nothing shattered); rather it was the means by which she devised to reach the clocks that had me frantically rearranging furniture following the incident.

It's a fact--potential dangers lurk around every corner. Homes are loaded with a myriad of possible land mines for little ones. However, all it takes is some common sense, planning, and the foresight to implement a few simple procedures to make your home safe. But, before you run to the store to purchase childproofing products, I suggest you first get down on your hands and knees and survey your home from your child's vantage point. It's likely you'll spot problems you'd normally overlook. Then, block out the comments from others who chide you about your home looking like a mini-prison with all the new latches or guards you install to keep your child safe. Remember: protecting your child should be your top priority-- even if it means enduring strange looks from Aunt Hilda.

Electrical Outlets To prevent the danger of electrical shock install safety plugs which cover outlets when not in use. Also, if you use extension cords, make sure the outlet-part isn't easily accessible; we hide ours behind heavy furniture.

Doors Make sure all your doors close tightly and that knobs and handles aren't easily accessible to your toddler via nearby chairs or other perches. If they are, consider rearranging your furniture or adding a simple hook-and-eye safety latch high up on the door frame.

Drawers Safety latches which help keep drawers from opening more than a half-inch or so can help prevent finger slamming and keep probing little ones from finding potentially hazardous materials that are stored there.

Stairways and Ledges Baby gates are in my opinion one of the best investments you can make. Install one at the top of the stairs, and at the bottom (if your child tends to crawl up the stairs when unsupervised) to help prevent falling or sliding.

Toilet Latches that mount onto the basin can keep the lid closed when it's not in use (thus, preventing a potential drowning accident). Don't underestimate the curiosity level of a toddler. I never dreamed my daughter would be interested in the toilet, until I one day I found her peering into one looking for "baby spiders."

Bathtub Most parents know to never leave a child unattended in a bathtub, but are you aware of the other mishaps that can take place in a tub even when you are supervising your child's bath? You can prevent slips and falls by adding non-slip mats on the bottom of the tub and I also highly recommend putting soft-foam spout covers over metal faucets to avoid cuts and contusions.

Medicine Cabinet 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 overdose material.

Stove Install knob covers on the stove so little ones can't turn on the appliance. Also, make sure your kitchen doesn't have climbing aids for your child to gain access to countertops. (I have seen my neighbor's child crawl along the counter to the burners.)

Cleaning-Supply Closet Latches and locks will keep the door from opening but, just to be safe, you should also store your cleaning supplies in high, inaccessible spots. Personally, my closet contains enough poison to kill an entire household, imagine what it would do to a single child.

Shelves and TV Stands It's a good idea to add brackets that attach a shelf or appliance to a wall (or other stable surface) to prevent objects from falling on a child.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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keri (21) 25 Jul 2006 01:46 PM

You are right about getting down on there level and LOOKING at stuff they see. You should do this everytime they grow to a new level, i.e. crawling to walking. And I found a easy way to have a window open on a second story and not worry about your child playing by him/her self and falling out. Put a baby gate in the window. They fit and stay on the inside part of the frame and can not be pushed out.

Michele Cheplic (37339) 25 Jul 2006 01:49 PM

Keri, great advice. Thank you!

yetty (7) 29 May 2008 11:46 AM

Just arrived on this forum and I found your post quite interesting. I was wondering if there are any new children risks in the home that you have identified and what products you are using to mitigate these risks. Additionally, what sorts of products do you envisage can increase safety in the home for children.