I have a 3 ½ year old who by chance, did not try to open every cabinet door or drawer, or try to lift the toilet seat to see what’s inside. Though we childproofed many areas in our home, I feel as though I got lucky. I say that because many of her friends now have young siblings, and when they come over, our split level house with lots of stairs, is a disaster for them.
It goes something like this… first you buy your home, then decorate, and before you know it you are gating yourself in and become your own prisoner to keep your infants safe! And with winter approaching, more time will likely be spent inside your home.
Sadly, millions of children are injured or even killed each year inside their own home. Many of these incidents were likely preventable. Childproofing is a critical part of having a child so if you can, start childproofing your home before the baby is born.
There are many online resources (About.com, babycenter, etc.) with lists of you should do, and many seem like common sense. That said, some may surprise you. Here are a few unexpected tips I think are worth noting:
● Dishwasher – keep it locked so your child can’t open it and get to dangerous items, like knives and glassware. Also be cautious when emptying it – I remember when my daughter became very interested in the silverware and other unsafe things on the bottom rack.
● Plants – be aware of the types of plants you keep, as many might be poisonous!. Do not use rocks or marbles in potting materials as they can be a choking hazard.
● Tables – many coffee or accent tables can have sharp edges. Even the hearth of your fire place! Install table cushions that just fit on corners, or ones which go all the way around the table. You can also make your own padding system. We bought cushions and cut them to fit on various edges in our home.
● When setting your dining table or entertaining, either avoid table cloths or place mats, or keep a close eye on your infant. Babies might pull them and what’s on them will come crashing down.
Check online for a complete list of childproofing items and resources. Many things can be done yourself but you can also hire companies to put up the gates and locks around your house.
While some of you might feel like a prisoner in your own home, keep in mind it is a stage. And an additional benefit to childproofing… chances are if you sell your home, the new owners might even appreciate the gates and locks and other safety devices already setup for their family. I sure would have!
Deb,
I totally agree when you say that are many things you can do for yourself. I took that seriously since the latches and locks in the market did not do the job for my first daughter, I designed my owns, patent them and now I sell them throw Ebay, ETSY and local stores. You may want to take a look at them at,
http://www.facebook.com/lockingstraps
Thanks for reading and offering your own tips Yanira! Glad to hear you took matters into your own hands and created your own product. Nice job!
This is a great list “check-lists” on how to child proof your home. Like Deb points out here, even the dishwasher can be quite dangerous and I know about this FIRST HAND – so I really recommend this check-list – more “MUST READ” for anyone moving into a new home (especially young families and families with small children) in my opinion!
Thanks again for sharing them Deb! Jim S.
Thanks Jim, for sharing your thoughts, glad you found the article helpful. Thanks for reading.
Deb, thank you for sharing this list, it is great. When possible my advice has always been to try and just block off the entire kitchen. The dishwasher, refrigerator, trashcan and all the chemicals normally kept under the sink are all bad news. It may not be a particle solution depending on the layout of your home but it is what I have tried todo in the past.
Deb,
Thank you so much for this information. Am cautious on what the kids can reach. The list is awesome and recommendable as home safety.