Children are naturally curious and will go to great lengths to explore their interesting environments. Even in your own home, you need to take precautions to ensure that your child is safe. According to the website Kids Health, unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for children younger than 14, and one-third of these accidents occur in the home. You can make a few simple changes to keep your child safe while he is at home.
Step 1
Make your kitchen a safe place for your child. Use drawer locks to prevent your child from getting into drawers that hold sharp knives and other utensils. Keep your child from opening kitchen cupboards by installing cabinet locks. Put appliances in cabinets so your child won't grab the cord and pull the appliance down on herself. Keep stools away from the stove, turn pot handles in when cooking, and store matches, medications and chemicals on top shelves of upper cabinets.
Step 2
Remove safety hazards from your child's bedroom and play areas. According to Healthy Children, you should check the floor each time your child enters the room to ensure that there is nothing that could cause him to choke. Make sure that your child's crib or bed meets all current safety guidelines; it should have slats that are less than 2-3/8 inches apart, and is should not have been manufactured before 1978. Keep cords from blinds tucked out of your child's reach, and inspect toys regularly to ensure there are no loose parts or sharp edges. You can attach heavy furniture to the wall to prevent it from tipping over if your child tries to climb on it.
Step 3
Make sure your bathroom is safe for your child. According to Kids Health, you should adjust your hot water heater to 120 degrees to prevent scalding. Keep sharp objects, such as razors and nail clippers, out of reach. Keep soaps and shampoos on top shelves in your shower, and install and an anti-slip bathtub mat to prevent falls in the tub. Install toilet locks to prevent drowning. Install cabinet locks, and keep cleaning supplies, medications, nail polish remover and other dangerous substances in the locked cabinets. Keep curling irons, hair dryers and electric razors unplugged and stored out of your child's reach.
Step 4
Childproof your child's outdoor spaces. Put toys and bikes put away when not in use, and make sure they do not block walkways, stairs and other high-traffic areas. Keep your garbage cans and recycling bins covered and away from where your child plays. If you have a swingset, inspect it regularly to ensure that there are no loose pieces, broken equipment or sharp edges. If your yard has a pool, enclose it with a locking fence that is at least 4 feet high.
Step 5
Install smoke detectors on each level of your home and outside of each bedroom, check them regularly, and change the batteries once a year. Install electrical outlet covers on all outlets, and keep electric cords out of sight. Use baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs and to prevent access to any area that could cause injury to your child. Keep houseplants and plastic bags out of your child's reach, and check furniture for sharp or jagged edges. Use doorknob covers to prevent access to rooms where you don't want your child to go. If you have a gun in your home, store it unloaded in a locked gun safe. Lock the ammunition in a separate place.
Tips and Warnings
- Parental supervision is the most important way to prevent household accidents, according to Kids Health. Always know where your child is and what she is doing.
Things You'll Need
- Electrical outlet covers
- Cabinet locks
- Toilet lock
- Doorknob covers
