Post by Mrs. Mommy Marlett™ on Mar 18, 2009 12:34:58 GMT -6
- Cover all electrical outlets
- Reduce water heater temperature to no more than 120 degrees
- Place poisonous materials in high cabinets – out of a child’s reach
- Keep window blind cords cut short to reduce strangulation hazard
- Any object which fits through an empty toilet paper roll can be a choking hazard
- Find additional hidden dangers by getting on your hands and knees to view from a child’s perspective
There are many common hazards around a house that people should be aware of. The two most dangerous rooms in a house are the kitchen and the bathroom.
In the bathroom, there should be a lock on the toilet seat, since children can drown in as little as 2 inches of water. It might also be advisable to put a doorknob cover on the bathroom door so that it’s not accessible at all. Tap water can lead to scalding burns so you should set your water heater to no more than 120 degrees, or just below the medium setting. Faucet covers can also be a good idea.
In the kitchen there should be a lock on the dishwasher, since children can easily open it up and take out dangerous objects, like knives. There should also be outlet covers on all electrical outlets – the kind that cover the entire outlet – not just the socket.
Most child-proofing items can be purchased relatively inexpensively at your local hardware store. However, there are some simple, cost-free things you should do to help child-proof your home. For example, don’t leave your purse within your child’s reach since there can be many choking hazards inside. Keep window blind cords cut short so that your child can’t reach them – they can strangulate themselves. Place poisonous materials in high cabinets completely out of kids’ reach. Remember, if an object fits through an empty toilet paper roll, a child can choke on it.
To find hidden household dangers, you should get down on your child’s level so that you can see your home as he or she sees it. A child’s eye level perspective really helps identify things that you wouldn’t have thought of before. The fact is, there are dangers all around and you have to take the proper steps to help prevent any potential accidents.
Parents should begin to child-proof their home before the baby even arrives. Then it simply becomes a matter of adjusting things as your baby grows and the things they can get into change.
The information came from A Place of Our Own.
