Oh, my Gosh! Get the video camera! Little Robin is crawling for the very first time! That's so cute! Are you rolling, Hon? Oh, No! Don't touch that, Robin! It's a power outlet! zap. Fortunately, this shocking breach of child safety only scared the poop out of little Robin, but Mommy and Daddy were terrified. They should have been crawling around their home weeks ago, getting a baby's-eye view of their surroundings and taking steps to eliminate any and all potential dangers.

In fact, it's a good idea to crawl around the house regularly, picking up small objects that fit in baby's mouth, posing a choking hazard - including buttons, pen caps, dropped food and other items that may have fallen on the floor. In case you miss something, be sure to know first aid for choking.

If baby can reach it, baby can grab it and pull it. Identify all the electrical, telephone and window blind cords in your house, particularly near baby's crib, and secure them so they're inaccessible. Safety tassels and inner cord stops for blinds and draperies can also eliminate choking dangers.

There are a number of safety devices that are designed to protect tiny ones from themselves. To prevent poisoning, other injuries and flour all over your kitchen floor, install safety locks and latches for kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers. Safety gates for stairs are a must-have to prevent falls. Make sure all safety products you purchase are certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.

Little Robin would have saved that spontaneous little poop for later if Mommy and Daddy had installed outlet covers and plates throughout the house. Your furniture sits near your outlets, so pad sharp edges on chairs, tables, fireplaces, etc. with corner and edge bumper pads. Door stops and door holders also protect baby from pinched fingers and toes.

Swimming pools and spas should have child-proof fences. Attractive, contemporary barriers are made specifically for this purpose. And don't underestimate the value of door locks and door knob covers near pools and spas. To prevent falls, use window guards and safety netting near windows, balconies, decks and landings.

Prevent hot water burns with scalding controls for faucets. In fact, you should keep safety equipment around the home to protect your entire family from burns resulting from fire. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, as well as one extinguisher on every floor of your home. Check them twice a year to make sure they're fully operational. The same goes for smoke detectors outside every bedroom and on every floor. You might also want to invest in a carbon monoxide detector and a radon detector, too.

Kitchens and bathrooms are full of harmful poisons, so make sure this list of potential threats and anything else in the category are well out of your baby's reach: alcohol, medications, vitamins and supplements, ammonia, furniture and brass polish, liquid window cleaner, bleach, dishwasher soap, drain openers, rust removers, oven cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, paint thinner. Be sure to include Poison Control in your handy list of emergency numbers.

Little Robin's Mommy and Daddy learned an important lesson without devastating consequences. They ask that you please take a tip from their mistake and make your home a safe environment for baby, or they'll never bring little Robin over for a play date.