How to Child Proof Your Home Chapel Hill NC

Steps

1. Cover all electrical outlets. To prevent your child from sticking their finger or any other objects in an outlet, use protective coverings.
2. Store household chemicals on higher shelves or cabinets. Make sure all of your household chemicals are out of reach and out of your children's way. If necessary, you can purchase shelve and cabinet locks or child-proof caps also.
3. Keep all medicine out of children's reach. Even children medication should be kept out of reach, they can easily overdose on children medication as easily as they can on adult medication. The only exception would be if the child has a medical condition which requires them to carry certain medications on them in case of emergencies. Other than that, keep all medications out of children's reach and make sure the bottles have child-proof caps.
4. Use safety gates. Install safety gates that are up-to-date with current safety standards. Use safety gates at doorways that lead to stairs, basements, attics, and other places in your home that could be unsafe for your children.
5. Anchor down any large furniture. Any tables, desks, dressers, and any other large furniture should be anchored down with an anchor strap to avoid the furniture tipping or falling over if the child climbs on it.
6. Use pool covers. If you have a swimming pool, buy a cover that you can strap down to prevent your child from falling into the pool.
7. Use gates/fences outside. Make sure your yard is fenced so your child doesn't run off anywhere. If you have any ponds outside, use a fence or gate to prevent your child from accessing it.
8. Properly store house-hold devices/appliances. Make sure any house-hold devices are properly stored away.
9. Keep any breakable items out of reach. Keep all breakble items away and out of reach of your children's hands, especially any glass objects.
10. Cover furniture edges/corners. Protect your child by covering corners and edges of furniture with foam to prevent any injuries.
11. Eliminate any standing water. To prevent any drowning, close all toilet lids(You can can also purchase toilet-lid locks should your child doesn't get into the toilet) and don't leave water in bathtubs or buckets.

Tips

• Child-Proofing Devices. Here's a list of safety devices recommended by the CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) to help keep your child safe at home;
  1. • Smoke Detectors (One for every level of your home)
     • Carbon Monoxide Detectors (Place near sleeping areas and at least 15 feet, or 4.6 meters, away from fuel-burning appliances)
     • Cordless Phones (So you never have to leave your child unattended during phone-calls)
     • Safety Gates (For stairs, use gates that can screw into walls. Don't use the old-fashioned "V" shaped gates.)
     • Anti-scald Devices for Faucets (These may need to be installed by a plumber)
     • Corner and Edge Bumpers (For corners of furniture)
     • Doorknob Covers and Doorlocks (To prevent children from leaving the home)
     • Outlet Covers and Outlet Plates (Make sure they are not easily removable for children and that they are large enough so the children won't choke on them)
     • Door Stops and Door Holders (This is to protect the children's fingers and hands from getting caught in doors and door hinges)
     • Safety Netting (For decks and balconies)
     • Safety Locks and Latches (For drawers and Cabinets)
• Keep all emergency and doctors' numbers on the fridge or stored into your phone in case of an accident.
• Talk with your children and teach them proper safety.

Warnings

• Always watch and supervise your children. Don't ever leave them by themselves.

Sources and Citations

• http://www.cpsc.gov/KIDS/kidsafety/index.html
• http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/grand/12steps/12steps.html
• http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/childproof.html
• http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/safety/childproofing_the_house.html

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