Childproof Your Home

Household injuries are one of the leading causes of emergency department visits for children under the age of 3. You can help prevent these injuries by making sure your home is free of hazards before your baby starts to crawl. Explore the tips below to learn more about how to create a safe home environment for your little one.

• Drop down to your hands and knees—so you can see what your child sees and remove potential hazards.
• Cover all accessible electrical outlets—outlet covers with sliding doors are the easiest to use correctly.
• Install cabinet and drawer locks in the kitchen and bathroom—add toilet-lid locks, too. (Consider keeping one low cabinet unlocked and stocked only with items your child can play with, like Tupperware containers.)
• Store medications, household poisons and cleaners up high, out of reach.
• Install secure baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
• Bracket TVs and tall furniture to the wall.
• Cut or tie up cords for window coverings so they are out of reach.
• Install window stops in any accessible window more than 6 feet off the ground, to keep it from opening more than 4 inches.
• Keep guns unloaded, out of reach, and locked up in a gun safe or lock box. Lock up ammunition separately.
• Install four-sided fencing, self-closing gate latches and door alarms around swimming pools.

Remember that no amount of childproofing replaces active adult supervision, but supervision alone does not prevent accidents.