Just a quick reminder of some top baby proofing safety tips. Please make child safety a priority in your home this summer!
Block staircases and secure furniture – Children falling down stairs or furniture tipping over is the number one preventable household injury. Proper safety gates should be installed at the top and bottom of each staircase. Choosing the proper gate and installing it correctly is crucial for your child’s safety and is best left to a professional. Never install a pressure gate at the top of the stairs. Properly secure all furniture, bookshelves and television sets to the wall to prevent them from tipping.
Prevent burns – Burns can be caused by flame, heat, chemicals or electrocution. Always keep children away from open flames while cooking or enjoying your fireplace. Lock your oven door or limit access to the kitchen while cooking or baking. Keep all chemicals out of reach of children and locked in a secure place. Limit access to electrical cords and install self-closing outlet covers.
Keep poisons out of reach – For babies and toddlers, poisons are found everywhere. Household cleaners, medicines (including baby medicines), vitamins, pesticides, plants, toothpaste and some foods can be poisonous. All these dangers should be kept out of reach and securely stowed away. Keep the number for Poison Control handy in case your baby ingests a hazardous material. The National Poison Control Number is: 800-222-1222.
Safeguard anything that contains open water – Children can drown in as little as an inch of water. While swimming pools are the most obvious drowning hazard, jacuzzis, bathtubs, toilets, buckets, pet bowls, fountains, ponds, lakes and the ocean can be equally dangerous. Children drown quickly and silently – in a matter of seconds. Supervision is the best prevention and most of these hazards can be safeguarded with locks or barriers.