Accidents in the home are the primary cause of death among children in the US. Toddlers especially like to learn all they can about the world around them with their recently acquired freedom of movement. But all too often, their curiosity gets them into trouble.
Many of these injuries, though, can be easily avoided. Some basic precautions are all it takes. Here are some toddler safety tips that will help to child proof your home.
Throughout the Home
* Large pieces of furniture that are prone to tipping, like a shelving unit, should be fastened to the wall using brackets.
* Doorknob covers are required for any room that you don't want your toddler to enter, for safety reasons or otherwise. They will also keep him from leaving the house unsupervised.
* If you have blinds on your windows, make sure the cords aren't looped. If they are, hang them out of reach. They have been the cause of strangulation among young children in a number of cases.
* Always use protective covers on your electrical outlets. This prevents small fingers and other objects from being inserted into them.
In the Kitchen
Be sure to install safety latches on all your kitchen cabinets and drawers. This helps prevent young children from accessing your cleaning products, many of which are toxic. It also keeps them from grabbing sharp objects like scissors or knives from inside the drawers.
Use the back burners on the stove when you're cooking. Any pots should have the handles turned inward so your little one can't grab them. When you're using the oven, block off access to it to avoid accidental burns.
Bathroom Safety
You'll also need safety latches on the cabinets and drawers of your bathroom. Make sure that cleaning products and medicinal products are locked up safe from your little one's grasp. As soon as you're done with them, unplug appliances like your curling iron or electric shaver. Put them somewhere where your child can't reach them.
If you have a toddler, you need a toilet lock to keep the lid down. Young children have a higher center of gravity and can easily fall into a toilet if they lean in to play in it. It takes less than an inch of water for a small child to drown. So it's essential to supervise them in the bathroom at all times.
Take an objective look at your home to spot any other possible sources of danger. Deal with them immediately. With these precautions and some common sense, raising toddlers can be easy and fun.
Many of these injuries, though, can be easily avoided. Some basic precautions are all it takes. Here are some toddler safety tips that will help to child proof your home.
Throughout the Home
* Large pieces of furniture that are prone to tipping, like a shelving unit, should be fastened to the wall using brackets.
* Doorknob covers are required for any room that you don't want your toddler to enter, for safety reasons or otherwise. They will also keep him from leaving the house unsupervised.
* If you have blinds on your windows, make sure the cords aren't looped. If they are, hang them out of reach. They have been the cause of strangulation among young children in a number of cases.
* Always use protective covers on your electrical outlets. This prevents small fingers and other objects from being inserted into them.
In the Kitchen
Be sure to install safety latches on all your kitchen cabinets and drawers. This helps prevent young children from accessing your cleaning products, many of which are toxic. It also keeps them from grabbing sharp objects like scissors or knives from inside the drawers.
Use the back burners on the stove when you're cooking. Any pots should have the handles turned inward so your little one can't grab them. When you're using the oven, block off access to it to avoid accidental burns.
Bathroom Safety
You'll also need safety latches on the cabinets and drawers of your bathroom. Make sure that cleaning products and medicinal products are locked up safe from your little one's grasp. As soon as you're done with them, unplug appliances like your curling iron or electric shaver. Put them somewhere where your child can't reach them.
If you have a toddler, you need a toilet lock to keep the lid down. Young children have a higher center of gravity and can easily fall into a toilet if they lean in to play in it. It takes less than an inch of water for a small child to drown. So it's essential to supervise them in the bathroom at all times.
Take an objective look at your home to spot any other possible sources of danger. Deal with them immediately. With these precautions and some common sense, raising toddlers can be easy and fun.
About the Author:
Important changes take place around the time your child turns one year old. This is usually the turning point in the development of an infant to a toddler. Learn more about raising toddlers at Toddlers Now.
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