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Cornell University : Cornell Cooperative Extension
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| Yates Association |
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Childproofing Your Home |
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Preventing accidents is often easy to do. A simple way to assess you childproofing needs is to get down to your child's level. Crawl through each room in your home to get an idea of the hazards that exist. Identify electrical outlets, sharp edges, heavy objects that can be pulled over and sources of water. Any of these hazards can be easily eliminated with safety devices that are available in the marketplace today. Plastic electrical outlet plugs protect tiny fingers from electrical shock. Locks for cabinets and drawers can prevent a child from opening them, while allowing adults access to them. Toilet seat guards keep lids down and locked to prevent accidental drownings. Plastic corner cushions protect toddlers from sharp corners on fireplaces, bench seats or coffee tables. If work rooms in your home contain dangerous tools, sharp objects or poisonous products, keep children out of the room with plastic safety grip covers on the door knobs or by putting up a safety gate at the entrance of the room. Newly designed gates swing open to allow adults easy passage, while restricting childrens' access. In the kitchen, store cleaning products in cupboards that are out of your child's reach. Unplug appliances, such as coffeemakers, after each use and teach your children to keep their hands off a hot stove when the interior light is on. Turn the handles of pots and pans toward the back of the stove to prevent your child from grabbing them and pulling down hot food. While all accidents cannot be prevented, taking a careful look at your home and making appropriate modifications can create a safer environment for your child. Cornell
Cooperative Extension Yates Association |
