Expert tips for childproofing your home
If you need to find a needle in a haystack, ask a toddler. If there’s danger, you can be sure they will find it – and they will do it quickly because they are faster and more determined than we are. That’s why childproofing is never optional. But even when every hazard seems to have been carefully contained, remember that there is no substitute for adult supervision.
Making sure your home is safe and ready for your little one can be a stressful endeavor. Just as you think you have secured all spaces for your baby or toddler, they have progressed to another stage with new abilities and the potential for new hazards. We checked in with the experts, Vickie Killough, CPSI Injury Prevention Specialist with Safe Kids WNC, MAHEC and fellow Injury Prevention Specialist Beverly Hopps, to get their top tips on how to best childproof your home at every stage.
Get on your kids’ level
Most parents usually scan and analyze to proactively look for possible dangers for their young children. Hopps says caregivers should “get on the child’s level” and look for things that can be harmful to children. Keep plants, electrical cords and the like up and out of your child’s reach. Use electrical outlet covers to keep children from sticking their fingers or other objects in the outlet.
Fall prevention
For any home with multiple levels or even steps, parents must think about fall prevention as their children get more mobile. Hopps says it's also important to install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs – both – and be sure to attach them to the wall.
“Remember to read the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you have the right gate for your needs. Not all gates are safe for use at the top of stairs,” Hopps said.
Fall prevention isn’t just limited to stairs. Parents also need to be mindful of kids being strapped correctly in high chairs, swings or strollers. It is also especially important for parents to place their baby into a carrier on the floor and not on top of tables or furniture.
Safety Around Water
Water safety is crucial for children of all ages, but it is especially important for babies and toddlers. Most importantly, adults need to be actively supervising children around water and avoid any distractions such as using a phone or reading. Beyond safety at pools and big bodies of water, parents need to think about home water hazards.
“Once bath time is over, immediately drain the tub. Keep toilet lids closed and keep doors to bathrooms and laundry rooms closed to prevent drowning,” Hopps said.
Enrolling kids in swim lessons early on and teaching them not to go near bodies of water without adult supervision are also important – but those safeguards are not a substitute for adult supervision.
Poison Prevention
Everything in a baby’s tiny grip is fair game for going straight in their mouth. Babies and toddlers explore the world through touch and taste, and that means poison prevention is key.
“Store all household products and cleaning solutions out of children’s sight and reach,” Hopps said. “Young kids are often eye level with items under the kitchen and bathroom sinks.”
Parents must also be careful to keep cleaning products in their original containers and keep medicines secured. (Read more about medication safety from SafeKids.) It’s a great idea to post the Poison Control emergency number where it is visible in your home and store it in your phone in case of emergency: 1-800-222-1222.
Poison prevention isn’t just chemicals and medicines, it’s also important for parents to be mindful of lithium battery-controlled devices.
“Keep coin lithium battery-controlled devices out of sight and reach of children,” Hopps said.
These include remote controls, singing greeting cards, digital scales, watches, hearing aids, thermometers, children’s toys, calculators, key fobs, tealight candles, flashing holiday jewelry or decorations and more, all of which contain button batteries. Parents should also keep loose batteries locked away.
“Share this life-saving information with caregivers, friends, family members and sitters,” Hopps said. “It only takes a minute and it could save a life. If you suspect your child has ingested a battery, go to the hospital immediately. Enter the National Battery Ingestion Hotline (800-498-8666) into your phone right now.”
Safety When Traveling
Parents take many precautions in their own home, but it’s especially important to remember these when traveling.
“Do your research! You need to educate yourself on what is around the area where you are staying that could potentially be a danger to your child or children,” Killough said. “Childproof everything. If renting and you are aware of the space ahead of time, ask for current photos so you can prepare.”
Pack a first aid kit and be sure to carry your children’s health insurance cards and medical plan information. Think about where you would get medical care for your child if needed, and add that hospital’s information to your phone’s maps.
Furniture safety
Anchoring furniture, TVs and appliances is a lifesaving measure. It really is that important. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that people underestimate or don’t know the risk of injuries or fatalities from a tip-over or they think it won’t happen if an adult is nearby.
The CPSC has outlined essential steps for adults to protect their families from dangerous tip-over risks:
• Anchor TVs and furniture, such as bookcases and dressers, securely to the wall.• Always place TVs on a sturdy, low base, and push the TV back as far as possible, particularly if anchoring is not possible.• Avoid displaying or storing items, such as toys and remotes, where kids may be tempted to climb to reach for them.• Store heavier items on lower shelves, or in lower drawers.• If purchasing a new TV, consider recycling older ones not currently in use. If moving the older TV to another room, be sure it is anchored to the wall properly.• Keep TV and cable cords out of reach of children.• Even when TVs and furniture are anchored, adult supervision is still recommended.
Learn more – including how to anchor items the right way – at anchorit.gov.
Ready for a deep dive into childproofing? Get started with these resources.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): cdc.gov/parents/infants/safety.html
Consumer Products Safety Commission: cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/kids-and-babies/Childproofing-Your-Home
SafeKids Worldwide: safekids.org/safetytips
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Expert tips for childproofing your home
