CHILD PROOFING 101

Diving into parenthood takes a lot of courage, and a lot of brainwork! At first thought, you may get excited and teary-eyed about the new bundle of joy that’s about to join your family. Then the magical moment comes, and you find that your brain is always working overtime – trying to figure out the car seat, get the nursery organized, and accommodating the endless visits from friends and family.

Before you know it, your little bundle of joy is a rolling, crawling bundle of curiosity! Rolling or scooting right for the remote, pulling themselves up onto your coffee table, and crawling strait for the stairs! Entering parenthood means entertaining a whole new way of living, especially when it comes to your

house. Here are a few key things to remember when child proofing.

KITCHEN: Have safety latches on all cabinets and drawers. Be sure to use backburners whenever possible and turn pot handles towards the back. Beware of dangling table clothes and plastic bags.

BATHROOM: Keep all drugs, supplements, make-up, and small objects closed up, and out of reach. Never leave a child in the bathroom alone. Fill bathwater just high enough to cover seated child's. legs, no higher. Use your wrist or elbow to test water temperature. Prevent slipping with a bathmat. Keep a phone near by while giving a bath. Put a two-way lock on the door so no one can get locked in or out. Use a lock on the toilet seat to prevent drowning or finger pinching.

LIVING ROOM: Bookcases and entertainment centers should all be secured to a wall to prevent tipping. Use a hearth gate and strong screen for fireplaces.

CHILD’S ROOM: Toy boxes should have no lid or be spring loaded. Keep all furniture away from outside windows.

EVERY ROOM: Have non-stick padding under all rugs. All cleaning supplies should be locked up or out of reach at all times. Make sure all electrical cords are tacked to walls, and not tucked under rugs. Keep all sharp corners (coffee tables, bookshelves, stairs, etc.) covered with bumper pads. Install safety gates at the top and bottom of all staircases. Door stops help to

prevent pinched fingers. All drapery and blind cords should be cut short and tied up. All unused outlets should have plastic covers. Make sure there are smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor; test them monthly.

As you can see, there is a lot to think about. Of course all babies are going to get curious, and small accidents are bound to happen, but many of them can be prevented by thinking ahead and child proofing. The most common accidents in the home are due to poor child proofing and may result in burns, drowning, suffocating, choking, falling, and poisoning. Taking the time to install the proper safety measures will greatly reduce these risks.

A baby’s world is full of new and exciting things, and it’s up to us to make sure they are all safe and playful. Take the time to go through your house to make sure your child, and any other little visitor, has a safe environment. Be sure to put in a safety reminder to the babysitter, baby’s grandparents, and other frequent play stops, to ensure all visits are child proofed and prepared!

Donna Strayer, Director
Adoption Services, Inc
262 -513 -0443