NURSERY Bedding Avoid soft bedding, stuffed animals and pillows. Remove bumper pads by the time your baby can pull up to stand. Changing table Use a sturdy table with 2-inch guardrails on all sides. Always use a safety strap and keep supplies within reach. Never leave your child unattended. Crib Remove mobiles when your baby is 5 months old or can push up on hands and knees. Crib slats should be 2-3/8 inches apart or less with a firm mattress. Windows Cut looped blind cords in half to avoid strangulation. Install locks or window guards to prevent falls. Toy chests Use chests without lids or with supports that hold the lid open in any position. Discard all toys with loose or broken parts. Bed Use a detachable rail to prevent falls. BATHROOM Bathtub Never leave child unattended in bathtub. Install a non-slip mat. Cover waterspout with soft cover. Toilets Install a lock on all toilets and keep lid closed to prevent drowning. Medicine cabinet Keep all medicines in containers with safety Keep a fully stocked first-aid kit on hand. Appliances Unplug hair dryers, electric raz-ors and other devices when not in use and store out of reach. Water To prevent scalding, set your hot water heater to a maximum of 120 degrees F. KITCHEN Cleaning products Keep toxic chemicals in their original containers and store in a high cabinet. If kept under the sink, install a childproof lock on the cabinet doors. High chairs Always use restraining straps. Microwaves Avoid heating baby bottles in microwave ovens. Fire Extinguisher Keep mounted in easily accessible location. Cabinets & drawers Install latches or locks. Store plastic bags, knives and heavy objects out of reach. Appliances Install latches on refrigerator and oven doors. Install a stove guard and knob covers. Turn pot handles to back of stove. Keep small appliances out of reach.

As a parent, one of your most important tasks is ensuring your baby's safety.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics' website, unintentional injury at home is a leading cause of death among children in the U.S.--accounting for about 2,800 deaths each year. That's why home safety is so important. Minor precautions taken now can prevent a trip to the emergency room later.

“Childproofing gives you peace of mind,” said Becky Fleming, mother of Gabriel, 5, and Allora, 2, of Cataula. “You can’t prevent everything, but you can prevent most accidents.”

Ideally, you should start childproofing your home before your baby is born. However, according to Dr. J. Michael Hollingsworth, a family doctor at Smiths Healthcare Center and father of four boys, childproofing should be done before your baby starts crawling.

“The best way is to get down on your hands and knees,” he advised. “Crawling from room to room will give you the same view as your child and will help you spot small or fragile objects. Look for anything that could fit into your baby’s mouth such as marbles, coins and other stray items.”

Fleming began childproofing her home while she was pregnant with her son. She saved every safety checklist in every magazine she could find. Outlet covers. Toilet locks. Cabinet latches. You name it—she secured it. “Since Gabriel was my first child, I was a little neurotic,” she laughed. “I had a friend who didn’t do anything and laughed at me for doing so much. But I read all the stories about stuff that happened to kids.”

She even installed straps to secure the furniture to the walls when her son started crawling. However, Gabriel wasn’t as adventuresome as his sister. “Allora climbs all the time, especially the chest of drawers where her hair-bows are kept.”

“We’re currently trying to secure the fridge, but I can’t get the plastic strap to work. It keeps falling off, so Allora is going in and getting whatever she wants.” Fleming explained. “Also, I’m trying to find something for the pantry doors. She’s climbing up the shelves and pulling down all the cans. My husband Steve suggested an old fashioned lock with a metal hook and loop.”

As your children grow, so do the safety hazards. Dr. Hollingsworth urges parents to check their homes frequently. “Every few months go through your home from top to bottom and look for any new hazards. Keep your pediatrician’s phone number and the number for the Poison Control Center posted next to all phones.”

“Last, but most importantly, always supervise your child,” he said.

general child safety tips

	Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout home and check batteries monthly.
	Use nightlight to prevent falls.
	If your home was built before 1978, check for lead paint.
	Post emergency phone numbers by each phone, including parents’ work numbers, pediatrician’s number and the number for Poison Control.
	Create a fire escape route and practice with your children.
	Use safety gates, door locks and knob covers to control access to “off-limits” areas.
	Install door chimes on all outside doors to alert you when those doors are accessed. (Some home security systems provide this feature.)
	Keep guns unloaded and stored in a locked and inaccessible location. Store ammunition in a separate locked and inaccessible location.
	Install fencing at least 4 feet high around swimming pool. Also install a pool alarm.

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