You may feel overwhelmed if you think about all the dangers in your home that could harm your child. Fortunately, you can address most hazards including stairs, chemicals, appliances, sharp objects, drawers, cabinets and windows with three solutions. While products may not be completely child-proof, they provide some level of protection.
Gates
Use baby gates to keep your child inside a room, protect him from falling down stairs, or to keep him out of rooms that contain hazards. For the most security, install gates rather than using those that secure by pressure. Mounted gates typically swing open and either lock automatically when closed or must be re-latched. For the top of the stairs, only use gates that swing away from the stairs to prevent accidental falls if your child leans on the gate.
Locks
Cabinet locks secure around cabinet knobs or are installed inside of the cabinet. Some models feature a magnetic key to unlock the cabinet. Drawer locks primarily consist of a plastic tab secured to the drawer. You'll need to push on a tab to open the drawer.
Appliance locks feature a plastic strap or hinge that attaches to the appliance so that your child cannot open it. Toilet locks attach to the toilet seat top and keep the lid shut with a lever that allows you to open and close it as needed.
Covers
Outlet covers protect young children from sticking their fingers or objects into electrical outlets. If possible, replace the entire outlet cover with one that features a sliding safety latch. Bumper covers placed on sharp furniture corners soften the impact if your child falls against the sharp edge. Window covers, also referred to as window guards, screw into the window's frame and feature bars spaced no more than 4 inches apart to keep your child from falling out of the window. Covers placed over door knobs prevent your child from opening doors on which they may get their hands or fingers caught. The door knob covers also restrict access to hazards such as chemicals or sharp objects in another area.
