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The time to childproof your house is before you need it. Use this saftey
checklist to start the process.
Car seat: Use an approved safety seat every time baby travels
in a car.
CPR/Choking: Take a class to prepare for emergencies.
Cleaning supplies: Lock all potential poisons in a high cabinet.
Cribs: Make sure your baby’s crib meets current safety
regulations. Be sure no pillows are used and that no blinds are placed near
the crib.
Electrical outlets: Cover all outlets.
Gates: Use permanently-mounted gates for the most complete safety.
Hanging cords: Wrap all cords and tie out of children’s reach.
Lead: Call for information about lead (800-LEAD-FYI) if your
home was built before 1978. Make sure your home’s mini-blinds are labeled
“made without lead.”
Medications: All medications should be kept in a locked cabinet
out of children’s reach.
Plants: Get rid of any plants which may be poisonous to your
child.
Pools: All pools should be gated with locking fences. Never
leave a child unattended in the pool area, even for a minute.
Sleepwear: Use either flame-resistant or snug-fitting pajamas.
Stairs: Use a gate at both the top and bottom of stairs.
Stoves: Use a stove guard or cook with just the back two burners.
Remove burner knobs if accessible to the child.
Strings: Never tie pacifiers to baby with a string around the neck.
Toys: Make sure toys are appropriate for the child’s age.
Water: Set hot water temperature to 120 degrees to avoid
scalding. Use toilet latches and keep children away from buckets, bathtubs and
other containers filled with water unless under constant supervision.
Windows: Use a window lock to keep windows from opening more
than four inches. Window screens alone will not keep a child from falling out
of a window.
Visit the
Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association web
site
for more saftey tips.
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