Child Proofing Your Home

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If you have young children in your home, you know that they can get into everything, and that many things in the house can be dangerous for them. In this show, Suzanne and child safety advocate Deborah Hobbs, creator of the video Baby Safe, discuss important ways to child-proof your home.

Deborah says that the most dangerous room in the house for children is the kitchen. She recommends using the back burners on the stove whenever possible, and turn pot handles in so little hands can't grab them. Consider using a child-proof lock on your oven door to prevent children from opening it up while hot, and have a fire extinguisher handy. Keep knives and other sharp implements behind a locked door or drawer. Also lock away any cleaning materials, medications or vitamins that could be ingested or inhaled. Remember that putting things high "out of reach" may not be enough. Children love to climb by using nearby chairs and stools, and will be able to reach almost anything despite your precautions. When not in use, unplug all appliances.

Use care in deciding on the foods that children eat. Make sure you cut up foods into very small pieces to prevent choking. For kids under five, avoid feeding them popcorn, grapes or hot dogs that aren't cut, and chewing gum. As a rule of thumb, be careful when serving anything that is hard and small--a sure choking hazard.

Another place that is potentially dangerous for children is the bathroom. To prevent electrical accidents, keep all hair dryers and other appliances out of reach and unplugged. If you don't have them already, install GFIC outlets, which are much safer. You can prevent scalding by making sure your water heater can not go above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Use non-skid mats in the tub to prevent slipping. Remember that drowning can occur in only inches of water, so children should not be left unattended while bathing or near the toilet. Yes, believe it or not, toilet locks are available to keep the little ones out. Keep breakable glass bottles and cups out of the bathroom . And finally, make sure that medications and other products are in child proof bottles and are safely locked away.

There are literally hundreds of products available today to help you child proof your house, including baby gates, outlet covers, pads to soften sharp corners, and more. You can find them by visiting your local baby store, or through catalogs or online retailers. If you're just not sure what needs to be done, you can turn to one of the many books or videos available or you can hire a professional child-proofer to make recommendations specific to your home.

Remember, kids are curious and have a knack for touching the things they shouldn't. With a little common sense and preparation, they can be safe while enjoying your home.