Parents can prevent many common serious childhood injuries by knowing where the dangers lie and how to protect children from them. Check out our helpful tips to baby proof various rooms and areas in the house.
Bathroom
Start by turning down the water temperature on your water heater. When you put your baby in the bath tub, it’s easiest to avoid any burning problem by keeping [it] at 110°.
Consider purchasing and installing toilet lid locks to baby proof your bathroom. Babies are fascinated by water.
Doors
Put decals on sliding-glass doors so your child won’t run into them.
Use doorknob covers on doors that you don’t want your child to open to baby proof your home.
Windows
Install window guards or adjust windows so they cannot open more than six inches.
Tie up the cords to blinds to baby proof so that a child doesn’t get tangled up in them.
Do not place a crib, playpen, highchair, or bed anywhere near blind cords.
Install safety glass in low windows and French doors so they won’t shatter if a child falls into them.
Don’t place furniture or anything that can be climbed on near a window.
Electricity
Cover all unused electrical outlets with safety plugs that snap into outlets. As soon as toddlers start crawling, they will try to put their fingers or a bobby pin in exposed outlets and can get a serious burn.
Check for exposed outlets behind furniture that you may have overlooked when you baby proof your home.
Fireplace
Purchase a fireplace hearth cover because once kids learn to walk or crawl, they run a risk of falling into a fireplace. Ready-made or even homemade softer devices that go around the hearth also can keep them out of harm’s way.
Stairways
Install gates once they start crawling when you baby proof your home. Put them at the bottom of stairways to prevent them from getting up the stairs. And if you are worried about them getting out of a bedroom, put a gate on that doorway.
Don’t put a gate at the top of the steps, because some babies can climb up a gate and fall from an even higher height.
Place the safety gate bar latch on the side away from your child’s reach.
Never leave anything on the stairs that you can trip on while carrying your baby.
Furniture and Accessories
Put away any unstable or rickety furniture your baby could pull over.
Fasten high bookcases or other tall pieces of furniture to the wall so your child can’t pull them down.
Keep all drawers closed completely so your baby can’t shut fingers in them or climb on them.
Keep all medications and cleaning products stored in a locked cabinet to baby proof your home. You especially want to lock [low cabinets] that contain household products that are dangerous because once your child starts crawling, he or she can get out cleaning fluids and drink them.
Appliances
Turn the handles of pots and pans toward the back of the stove or counter to baby proof your kitchen.
Use the back burners for cooking whenever possible.
Don’t let your baby play at your feet while you are cooking.
Never leave a boiling pot or sizzling skillet unattended on the stove.
Teach your child that the oven is “hot” and not to touch it.
Keep plug-in appliances, such as toasters and can openers, put away where your child can’t reach them.
Appliances
