Many serious injuries to minors and children occur to those who are least able to defend themselves: infants. Infants have few instincts to protect themselves and most homes contain enough dangers to cause everything from burn injuries to brain injuries and broken bones. You can prevent serious injuries in your home by baby-proofing your home. You can do this by:
1) Getting safety latches or locks for bathroom cabinets and kitchen drawers and cupboards. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that these are needed on any drawers and cupboards where you store household chemicals, small items, and sharp objects. Latches and locks can prevent poisonings and other injuries. Door locks and door knob covers are other important safety devices that can help prevent kinds from entering dangerous areas such as spas, saunas, and pools.
2) Install safety gates. These should be installed at the top and bottom of any stairs in your home, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Safety gates can help prevent falls. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that parents look for the safety certification seal from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) on any safety gate they buy.
3) Install scalding controls. These controls for your faucets can prevent burn injuries from hot water.
4) Add window guards to all windows and safety netting below landings and decks. These devices can help prevent falls, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
5) Apply edge bumpers and corner bumpers to sharp edges on your furniture, walls, and fireplace. These can help prevent bumps and cuts. Many parents do not realize how sharp furniture can be for young arms and legs.
6) Install outlet covers and plates on all electrical outlets. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that these can help prevent electrocution.
7) Re-do your window treatments to include safety tassels and inner cord stops. Traditional window blinds and tassels can pose a strangulation risk.
8) Ensure there’s a working smoke detector directly outside every bedroom and on every floor of your house. Make sure you have a good carbon monoxide detector as well as a fire extinguisher. This will keep not only your baby but your entire family safe.
9) Do a poison check regularly and ensure that anything that is hazardous is completely out of reach of young children. Common household items that are dangerous to children and infants include:
* Toilet bowl cleaners
* Rust removers
* Oven cleaners
* Dishwasher soap
*Nail polish remover
*Silver polish
* Furniture waxes and polishes
* Drain openers
* Alcohol
* Medication
* Vitamins
* Iron supplements
* Bleach
* Ammonia
* Windshield washer fluid
* Paint thinner
10) Provide lots of parental supervision. Adult supervision is the best way to ensure that nothing dangerous happens.