Unfortunately, greater than four million children result in the er every year because of home accidents. Fortunately 90% of the accidents happens to be avoided. Nevertheless there is no alternative to vigilant supervision, proactive childproofing will go along way towards preventing needless accidents. As the child explores, teach him what exactly is safe and what is off-limits.

Working with the data of child safety expert Kimberlee Mitchell, experienced mother of two toddlers and who owns Boo Boo Busters Professional Babyproofing Service, below is often a report on recommended childproofing strategies for every home.

The best way to Build a Baby Safe Home Environment

The least expensive and quickest solution to babyproof would be to limit usage of certain parts of the home which are neither safe nor suitable for babies. The garage, laundry room, loft, terrace, office, gym, utility room, craft room, rooms under construction, etc. must be "off limits" for babies and should be secured with door locks. The front door and interior garage door needs to have flip locks so child doesn't need entry to outdoors.

Common Hazards in most Home

Some household dangers are obvious among others could be more elusive. Albeit you will find countless dangers common to wouldn't, they are easily rectified once recognized.

Electrical:

· Cover all outlets, power strips and old exposed wires. Engaged outlets with a cord plugged in and play areas (nursery, play room, family room) must have sliding plate covers or perhaps a big box outlet cover oversized plugs on every exposed outlet. Push plugs may be used in less accessible areas as long as the plugs are extremely difficult for a grown-up to take out. A determined child and/or some twins, can get rid of the push plugs given enough time.

· Use cord control kits to arrange and house all wires.

Tipping:

· Anchor all armoires, shelving units, dressers, etc. or appliances (i.e. TV, VCR, computer, etc.) that can topple onto child because of climbing or pulling. When drawers are open simultaneously the machine, however sturdy, becomes front heavy and tips easily with weight of toddler on open drawer.

· Earthquakes are one additional reason to secure heavy furniture to wall stud.

Falls:

· Install window guards with emergency release latches on all windows on second level. Screens aren't babyproofing devices. Beware of toy stacking. Children will pile up everything to obtain a view outside. Move furniture from half walls where child can climb up and fall over. Consider having Plexiglas installed to supply dangerous pony walls.

· Mount safety gate at stair bottom and top. Professional babyproofers offer excellent gates, extensions, custom mount kits for wood and wrought iron banisters. Pressure gates usually are not recommended. If banister posts are more than 3" apart, put in a barrier.

· Install custom cut Plexiglas on stair banisters and decks which can be no to code (2 1/2 inches wide) or if you can find decorative embellishments on banister that may behave as a foothold for any climbing child.

· Be certain all rugs and mats have non-skid bottoms to avoid slipping.

· Never leave infant unattended on changing table or bed

· Never let child play on stairs unattended.

Chemical:

· Move all chemicals (including cleaning supplies, various beauty and childcare accessories and alcohol) to your high locked cabinet.

· Install magnetic child safety locks (Tot Loks) on all accessible drawers and cabinets that includes these toxic items. These are generally 100% kid proof.

· No unsupervised entry into garage and laundry room.

· CO detectors must be placed on each level of home near sleeping quarters.

Plants:

· Discover which plants in your home and yard are poisonous. Landscapers commonly use White Oleander, which can be highly toxic. When there is a plant involved, cut off a sprig, put it in a zip lock bag and bring it to local plant nursery for input.

Pets:

· Keep all pet doors closed off when child occurs.

· Pets run through door and knock over child and/or child can escape to the outside via the door, and that is at their eye level and quite inviting.

· Never allow your child usage of an animal you do not know is great with children. Do not let child to hug dog or kiss its face. Don't bring young children to dog parks. Keep child away from pack of fast running dogs.

Choking/Strangulation:

· Any situation that will fit in a empty cardboard toilet tissue roll is really a choking hazard.

· Replace all old door stops which may have removable rubber tips with one piece door stops as the small rubber tip is a choking hazard.

· Execute a visual safety sweep of home every single day before child wakes to ensure all small objects are found off floor.

· Watch out for older children's toys that can be choking hazards. Use locked storage bins for small pieces.

· Use a peg rack on wall to hold purses, coats, bags, backpacks, etc. to help keep unrealistic.

· Install blind cord cleats and wrap all dangling cords to disallow strangulation.

Water:

· Avoid the most common drowning hazard and have a pool fence, cover or net installed over all pools and spas.

· When swimming with baby or small child always make sure they're within arm's distance and PAY ATTENTION. Being engrossed in the conversation with someone while "watching your child" is extremely dangerous.

· Babies can fall into toilet head first rather than be capable of geting out so make sure you install toilet locks.

· After it rains execute a visual safety sweep of the yard to look for planters, buckets or water tables with pooled water and dump out.

· Never leave a child unattended around or in water.

· Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid risk of scalding.

Humans:

· Use back burners in kitchen and turn pot handles in.

· Parents make practice of holding handrail when using stairs when carrying child.

· Keep doors to "off limits" rooms pulled closed.

· Stay away from elderly or older children's non-safe habits about household. They will unintentionally leave medicines out, drop pills, leave doors/cabinets/drawers open, etc. It is possible to educate all your family members members to get mindful of their unsafe habits but at the end of waking time the youngsters safety factors are still your responsibility.

· Be vigilant about supervising your child. You can babyproof your home just like a safety fortress but there is no alternative to your constant attention.

· Let down the tv screen should you be not watching it with your child. This program could possibly be child-safe however the commercials may well not. There are several pretty terrifying things on TV that won't physically harm your baby but tend to cause damage. See your pediatrician about it topic to learn more.

A VIRTUAL Home SAFETY EVALUATION:

The subsequent is really a room-by-room walk-through of the average family home. Remember that our homes weren't designed for the safety of an baby or child at heart. Each residence has special features which can be unique in addition to common safety challenges. Below is really a list of ways of common safety hazards present in most homes:

Kitchen

· Install magnetic child safety locks (Tot Loks) on all accessible drawers and cabinets that contain toxic items (i.e. cleaning utility caddy, alcohol, vitamins, plastic bags, etc.)

· Gate off home.

· Keep child in high chair or pack and play during meal preparation.

· Latch all other drawers and cabinets. We recommend babyproofing for safety first and foremost, however it is usually just a few convenience. In the event you choose, keep one cupboard with Tupperware lids unlocked for child to access but be certain they can not use this open cabinet or drawer being a key to climb up onto counter. Your kids will not be in a position to reach certain drawers now but he surely will very quickly.

· Never let child use pots or pans since it sends an unacceptable message to child the are toys. When child sees exactly the same pots/pan on stove top he can want to grab his familiar "toy."

· Consider latching all appliances child can access much like the refrigerator, dishwasher, trash compactor, dumbwaiter and oven.

· Keep all appliances on counter unplugged and hide electrical cords.

· Don't hang dish towels on oven door as baby can pull towel and bring the doorway down into the bridge of his nose.

· Use back burners on stove and install stove guard and knob covers if child has usage of them.

· Do not use small or breakable refrigerator magnets as is also choking hazards.

· Watch out for leaving knives, scissors, mug, etc. from counter as child will grab at what you could get a handle on using their vantage.

Bathrooms

· No unsupervised entry into bathroom.

· Use safety locks on door at all times.

· Install toilet locks to prevent child from drowning and throwing objects in.

· Latch all cabinets.

· Move wastebasket under sink behind a latched cabinet door or use a covered receptacle.

· Turn hot water heater right down to 120 degrees in order to avoid scalding.

· Check water temperature on your own inner wrist just before putting baby engrossed.

· Never leave a kid in bath unattended.

· Never leave filled tub unattended and drain tub soon after use. Children can wander in and drown.

· Use no-slip mat in order to avoid slipping plus a spout cover to stop scalding and cuts.

· Remove all electrical appliances from bathroom where child bathes.

Living Room/Family Room

· Eliminate baby's use of fireplaces, wood stoves and spas using gates developed for this specific purpose. If gates will not focus on fireplace use specially designed fireplace lock on glass accordion doors and install hearth padding around edges of hearth to avoid child from falling onto it.

· Remove gas key from fireplace gas gauge and store in high place.

· Anchor all items that are tipping hazards.

· Anchor TVs.

· Remove all items (torchiere lamps, freestanding coat racks, statues, etc.) from home until child is older.

· Cover end tables, coffee tables, countertops, and low dressers furniture corners and edges with cushioning created for this purpose.

Decks

· No unsupervised entry to decks. Beware of you child stacking toys/object to see over railing.

· Install a Plexiglas or net barrier if you find more than 2 ½ inches between railing posts.

· Put decals on french doors at baby's eye level, so they doesn't come upon them.

· Always keep baby away when through the grill. Hearthgates work effectively for this reason.

· Avoid the use of deck furniture to eliminate risk of climbing.

· Always lock all doors ultimately causing decks.

Nursery

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, National Safety Council as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics possess the following helpful safety recommendations for your child's nursery.

· ALWAYS place your infant to sleep on their back. This greatly cuts down on the risk from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) or suffocation. Since American Academy of Pediatrics recommended back-sleeping 5 years ago, SIDS deaths in america have declined by 38%.

· Remove all soft bedding-pillows, comforters, blankets and stuffed animals-from the crib to further reduce risk of suffocation. Instead of a blanket, dress baby in a sleep sack or sleeper.

· Guarantee the crib itself meets current safety standards. What this means is:

1. The slats aren't wider than 2 3/8" apart

2. The mattress is firm-not soft (foam or coil - your preference)

3. There's no gap between mattress and crib walls. Two fingers importance of space is simply too much.

4. Corner posts are level with the height with the end panels (just 1/16" higher at most of the)

5. There are no decorative cut-outs within the headboard or footboard.

6. Top rails, when raised, are near least 26" above the mattress support in its lowest position.

7. Hardware is secure-no loose or broken screws or pieces. Recheck periodically.

8. Drop sides cannot be accidentally released with a child. (According to the National Safety Council, the crib sides should require two separate steps to release. If this describes a single step process, it ought to need a minimum force of Ten pounds to release.)

9. Get a JPMA safety certification seal on newly manufactured cribs.

10. Top rails must be paid by teething guards.

· Keep blind cords, curtain pulls, décor, electrical cords and mobiles beyond baby's reach.

· Maintain a very good room temperature give you a recommended range in order to avoid overheating.

· Place baby's crib away from any way to obtain draft.

· Make certain baby's fitted sheet is secured towards the mattress and won't pop loose.

· Place a baby monitor in the nursery far from child's reach.

· Consider getting a special crib mattress that circulates air around baby. This can help prevent the "rebreathing" of co2, that is believed to be a leading source of SIDS.

· The use of bumper pads, make sure they are tightly secured towards the sides from the cribs. Trim excess ties or straps. Straps ought to be loose, all to easy to push into mattress and not hung up on any hardware. You wouldn't want your child to acquire a foothold on bumper so that you can climb out.

· When child is sitting up remove bumper pads and all other animals or pillows and minimize crib mattress to lowest position.

· After the the top crib rails are below three-fourths your son or daughter's height or they are 36 inches tall, you need to move to a toddler bed.

· If you have a kid who climbs out of the crib prior to the above point, seriously consider using a crib tent. Some parent's can't stand it however the potential alternatives are far worse.

· Install finger guards on fast-closing doors.

· Anchor all furniture, cover all outlets (even ones behind crib), and install locks or window guards on all windows.

· When baby is sitting upright remove all mobiles and any kind of canopy over bed as they possibly can pose choking or strangulation hazards.

· Do not place heavy object on shelves or hang pictures above crib.

· Use earthquake putty on all objects added to shelving. Use Velcro the secure base of pictures on walls - stay with wall and back of frame as well as prevent it from falling and breaking during quake.

· Use locks on sliding closet doors until baby can open and close without pinching fingers or slamming causing glass doors to hack.

· Pick up room nightly when it is bedtime so any time an urgent situation you can find to your child quickly without incident.

· When child is toddler bed, use pressure gate in doorway to stop child from walking around house unsupervised at night time. Instruct child to demand you when he could be awake every day.

Fire & Health Safety

· Store fire escape ladders in most bedroom on second level and above.

· Place working fire alarms atlanta divorce attorneys bedroom as well as on every story don't forget to check on them regularly. Day light savings time is an excellent marker to utilize look at alarms bi-annually

.

· Install carbon monoxide detectors on each level of home near sleeping areas.

· Install natural gas detectors on each level of home near sleeping areas.

· Create and use an emergency plans. (ie. fire escape plan, earthquake plan, disaster plan.)

· Purchase disaster preparedness kits.

· Make sure all fire/smoke alarms have been in working order.

· Place the phone number in the poison control center at the telephone. You will have to know your weight to treating a poisoning. Never use ipecac unless instructed by a professional for this.

· Learn medical and CPR and maintain skills up-to-date.