Is Your Sofa Safe? A Guide to Childproofing your Home

Garage and Family Car

• When travelling, always keep your baby securely strapped into a baby car seat.
• If you have to leave the car, take the baby with you instead of leaving them alone even for a short period of time.
• In general, keep the baby away from the garage, especially those with tools and machinery that could be dangerous.
• Keep garage door openers well out of reach of young children.
• Toxic substances including pesticides and other chemicals should be either locked or placed on high shelves.

Kitchen

• Use a stable high chair with a well-fitting seat belt when feeding babies or young children at the table.
• Use your wrist to check the temperature of formula or other warm drinks that are given to children.
• Remove any sharp or pointy objects, such as forks, knifes or chopsticks.
• Keep breakable items and toxic cleaning supplies locked or out of reach.
• Store plastic bags safely and don�۪t allow babies or children to play with them.

Bedroom and Nursery

• When cleaning a baby on the changing table, never leave them unattended.
• Keep hanging mobiles and small toys well out of reach.
• Avoid suffocation risks by keeping pillows and soft toys out of the crib.
• Blankets, sheets, and other bedding, as well as clothes should be flame resistant.
• Don�۪t leave food or medication within reach of the baby, especially when they are unattended.

Bathroom

• Always stay with your child while they are in the bathtub, or at least have a trusted family member to supervise bath time.
• Touch the water and make sure the temperature is suitable for your child before immersing them.
• Use a children�۪s toilet seat on top of the toilet and keep the lid closed at other times.
• Keep medicines as well as soaps and shampoos in high or childproof cabinets.
• Install rubber bath mats or adhesive grip panels on the bathtub floor so that children don�۪t accidentally slip or fall.

Around the Entire House

• Install window guards on all windows, even in rooms that the child might not enter.
• The mesh netting around the play area should be fine enough so that babies would not be able to poke their fingers or wrists through it.
• Use grip material or tape to secure rugs to the floor and prevent slipping.
• Install safety gates near staircases and the kitchen to prevent kids from wandering or falling.
• Maintain clean air quality by eliminating smoke, mold and other air-borne substances.
• Prevent kids from eating plants or soil by keeping houseplants on high ledges or outdoors.
• Any spills should be cleaned and dried right away.
• When the baby is playing with other infants or animals, make sure that an adult is always supervising.
• Any flammable materials, including lighter fluid and matches should be kept locked in a safe place.
• Use safety covers to seal off electrical outlets from small children.
• Monitor any deteriorating paint on walls and repair or repaint it when necessary. Paint chips and debris should be cleaned off the floor immediately.
• Equip the house with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all main areas.
• Bookshelves, as well as other types of cabinetry should be properly secured, without small or breakable objects on the lower levels.
• Cover heaters and fireplaces with ventilated guards to avoid accidental burns.
• All furniture and cabinets should have rounded covers on the corners.

Further Reading

• Preventing Accidents at Home ��� Learn how common items can cause harm to children and infants, and use a series of safety checklists to cover the entire house.
• How to Childproof a Home ��� From toys to magnets and water temperature, this guide covers the finer points of childproofing indoors.
• Simple Childproofing Tips ��� Review the basics of eliminating dangers to young children around the home.
• Dangerous Home Hazards ��� Find out how to safeguard kids from falls, water hazards, poison, fire, choking, pets and night-time risks.
• Age-Specific Safety Pointers ��� Choose the age of your child and review the home safety tips that are appropriate for them.
• Helpful Home Precautions ��� Help kids to understand their role in avoiding physical risks at home by using designated stickers to mark dangerous products.
• Maintaining a Safe Nursery ��� From the paint on the walls to carpeting and cribs, learn how to recognize and eliminate hidden risks to babies.
• Childproofing a Crib ��� Read an in-depth guide on choosing a baby-friendly crib, including information on slats, mattress, wood and posts.
• Bathroom Safety Tips ��� Anti-skid rugs, anti-scalding fittings on showers and taps and locked cabinets are some ideas of ensuring a safe bathroom for infants.
• Safety Devices ��� Find out about some of the most useful and popular safety devices to help ensure your child�۪s safety at home.

by: Bruce Tucker