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Childproofing around the house.... |
Safe and sound
Parents worry endlessly about how to protect their children from stranger abduction and
violence, but many manage to overlook one of the biggest threats to their children's
safety and well-being - their own home. Experts say that children ages 1 to 4 are more
likely to be injured by fire, burns, drowning, choking, poisoning, or falls (in that
order) than by a stranger's violence.
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Gadgets galore:
In stores and catalogs, one can find all kinds of gadgets that really can help the home
childproofing efforts. Gadgets are no substitute for your eyes and ears.
Because childproofing and other safety measures can seem overwhelming, below are three
checklists that let you see at a glance what to do before your baby arrives, before your
baby crawls, and before your baby starts toddling and climbing. You'll also find safety
tips about childproofing your nursery, kitchen, and bathroom.
Scope out the territory:
You really need to get down on your hands and knees when your child is an infant, and then
start looking up as he begins walking and climbing to determine which cupboards, drawers,
and other spaces he might get into. Carefully lock up or move to an inaccessible spot
every potential poison or other hazard - cleaning fluids, medicines, vitamins, knives,
tiny objects that a baby can choke on, and so forth. Use gates to control the areas your
child has access to.
You'll have to reevaluate these precautionary measures as your child grows. Childproofing
is an ongoing process: The gate you put at the top of the stairs for your 1-year-old may
become her favorite climbing structure when she's 2.
Be careful when you have visitors, too. No matter how carefully you've childproofed the
house, a visitor might have not applied your standards to her purse. Aspirin and other
items that people typically carry with them are dangerous to small children.
Use caution with furniture and fixtures:
Large and/or heavy objects in your home are real hazards - bolt whatever you can to the
wall with L-brackets, and push items like televisions back from the edge or move them out
of reach. Children start pulling up on things shortly after they start crawling. And when
they learn how to climb, watch out. Some kids will scale counters, bookcases, and anything
else they can get a grip on.
Install gates:
Most parents consider safety gates essential safety items. They allow you to open outside
doors for air while keeping your child inside, to contain him within a certain room, and
to block access to dangerous stairways and forbidden rooms (such as the bathroom).
Unfortunately, some safety gates can themselves pose a hazard to children. In general,
look for gates that your child cannot dislodge but that you can easily open and close.
Choose one with a straight top edge and a rigid mesh screen to keep your child out of
rooms that are off-limits. Install a gate that screws to the wall (rather than one that
stays put by using pressure) for the top of the stairs - it's more secure. Place another
one three steps from the bottom.
It's best to buy safety gates new. If you plan to use an older gate with V-shaped
openings, make sure the openings are too small for a child's head and neck to fit into.
Prevent fires:
Install smoke detectors in every bedroom and one near the kitchen. Check them
monthly to be sure they're working, and change the batteries annually. If you have a
fireplace, keep a fire extinguisher nearby, and have it serviced or checked according to
the manufacturer's instructions. Start talking to your child about the dangers of fire and
your fire escape route at an early age.
Prevent drowning:
Eliminate standing water or other liquids in 5-gallon buckets and other containers.
Children left unattended even for just a minute or two can drown in as little as 2 inches
of liquid. This seemingly unlikely scenario happens because young children are top-heavy.
If they lose their balance (as they so often do) while peering into a toilet or bucket,
they typically fall in head first and cannot get out.
Secure your windows:
Cords on window coverings are frequently associated with strangulation of children under
5. The younger victims, usually between 10 to 15 months of age, typically are in cribs
placed near windows with pull cords.
A child can become entangled in a cord and strangle in a matter of minutes. Either cut off
the cords or use cord shorteners or wind-ups to keep them from being dangerous.
About 12 children, 10 years old and younger die from window-fall-related injuries every
year; 120 children have died since 1990. And more than 4,000 kids are treated in hospital
emergency rooms for such falls. Most of the children injured or killed are under the age
of 5.
Falling is another hazard associated with windows. Many people think window screens are
enough to prevent falls, but they're not.
Always open casement windows from the top or fit them with locks to prevent small children
from opening them. Low windows should not open more than 4 inches.
Check for lead paint
If you live in a building which may contain lead paint - a problem only if it's flaking or
peeling. If your child breathes lead dust or fumes or swallows anything with lead in it he
can get lead poisoning, which can cause learning disabilities and other neurological
problems. If there's eroding lead paint in your home, it should be completely removed by a
licensed professional or covered with an approved sealant.
Prepare for the worst
Before an accident happens, check the inside of your local phone book for emergency phone
numbers and procedures. And determine the appropriate number to call when you need
paramedics. Post this information right next to your phone or in another obvious, visible
place.
Keep first-aid supplies on hand. Make sure babysitters and other caregivers know where to
find these supplies in your home and how to respond in an emergency.
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