From infancy to age 15 children experience injuries in the home and these injuries occur far more than all diseases combined. Babies can fall down stairs, choke on small objects left on the floor or drown in just a couple of inches of bath water. Therefore it is important to install child/baby monitors, gates, cabinet locks, and electrical outlet covers to keep little ones safe. Dane feels all parents should start with the room where the child spends most of the day. Child proofing a home does not have to be expensive, and all precautions taken can be removed when the children are old enough to care for themselves. Also, to install childproofing products at home they are easy, and parents can save tons of money. Safety devices are easy to find. Shop online, in hardware stores, baby equipment shops, drug stores, home and linen stores and through mail order catalogues.
According to the website U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at cpsc.gov, there are several home safety products all parents should own. Here are a few that will help any parent prevent injuries in their home.
All parents should have safety latches and locks for cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms and other major rooms to prevent injuries and ingestion of poisonous products. Also, it can prevent children from getting into drawers that may hold medication, knives or other sharp objects. Safety gates are another item that must be installed in all homes. They prevent falls and keep children away from dangerous areas. Safety gates can help keep children from rooms that they do not need to be in and help keep children in a specific area that is child friendly. The website states, "Look for safety gates that children can not dislodge easily but that adults can open and close without difficulty." Also, for the top of stairs, gates that are screwed into the wall are easier and more secure than pressure gates. Other important devices needed are doorknob covers and door locks. It helps prevent children from entering rooms and other areas of possible danger. This device is especially important if there is a pool in a residence.
Every home should have a smoke detector. Not only to protect children but also for adults. They should be installed on every level of a home and near bedrooms to alert parents of fires. They are essential devices that protect against death and major injuries. Window guards and safety netting is essential if there are balconies, decks or landings. These devices help prevent serious falls and injuries. Corner and edge bumpers are important to prevent injuries from falls against sharp edges of furniture and fireplaces. Corner and edge bumpers can be used to soften falls against sharp or rough edges. Outlet covers and outlet plates are very important and should be placed on all outlets in a home. These devices help prevent electrical shock and possible electrocution. Be sure to check that children cannot remove the outlet protectors easily.
