Childproof your home

Many common home injuries can be prevented with proper child safety devices. Child safety devices are conveniently found in local hardware stores, supermarkets, drug stores, baby equipment stores and online. Here are just a few child safety devices that will make your home a safer one.

Lock Out Common Accidents

One of the easiest ways to prevent injuries is with a simple and inexpensive safety lock or latch. Securing cabinets and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas can prevent access to sharp objects or poisonous cleaners. It’s also a good idea to get a child’s eye view of things. Sit on the floor and see what you can reach or access from the ground. You may be surprised at what your child can get into from such small heights.

Gates Make Safety Simple

Using safety gates can prevent painful falls and keep children out of specific areas of the house, such as the kitchen when you are cooking. For areas near the tops of stairs, use safety gates that screw to the wall for more security. Check that the safety devices meet the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) requirements. There also are new safety gates that fit around fireplaces to prevent burns and custom gate systems to fit any odd-sized areas in your home.

Detection Equals Protection

A smoke detector is essential for protecting your family from a fire. The alarms should be located on every level of your home and outside bedrooms. Check your smoke detector monthly to ensure that it’s working properly. For a little more, a carbon monoxide (CO) detector can help prevent CO poisoning. CO detectors should be placed near sleeping areas in homes that use gas or oil heat, and in homes with attached garages.

Cover it Up

Protect your child from electrical shock by installing child-resistant covers on all electrical outlets. You can find these devices in any local hardware store. Make sure that outlet protectors cannot be easily removed by your child and that they are too large to be put into interested mouths.

Turn Down the Heat

Help prevent painful burns by installing anti-scald devices in shower heads and faucets. Set your water heater to as low a temperature as possible (120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower), and always test bath water before putting your child into the tub. Never leave a child unattended in the bath tub, not even for a minute.

Soften the Blow

Your home is filled with sharp angles in the guise of tables, chairs and fireplace hearths just itching to be bumped. Corner and edge bumpers can prevent injuries from falls or help soften the blow against sharp furniture or rough edges. Look for corner and edge bumpers that stay secure on furniture and hearth edges; they run about $30 and up each.

Remember Window Safety

Open windows can pose a potential hazard for young children, particularly if your child’s bedroom is located on a second level. Window guards and safety netting can help prevent falls from windows, decks, landings and balconies, because window screens alone will not protect children from falling. Make sure at least one window in each room can easily be used as an escape route in case of fire. Follow installation instructions carefully and check that there is no more than four inches between bars of the window guards.

Prevent Access

One of the easiest ways to prevent accidents from happening in certain areas of your home is to prevent access to them. Door knobs and covers can stop children from entering areas such as kitchens and swimming pools. Make sure door knob covers are sturdy enough to resist children’s tugs but allow easy entrance to adults in case of emergency. Place door locks high and out of the reach of small toddlers. Use fences and alarms in addition to locks for extra protection. Sliding glass doors with locks that must be re-secured after opening are often not an effective deterrent for inquisitive children wanting a peek at outside swimming pools, so use safety gates and other barriers with sliding doors.

Guard Busy Hands

Prevent stovetop accidents with a stove guard, a device that prevents tots from reaching hot burners, pot and pan handles and utensils placed on the stove top. Made of heat-resistant plastic, a stove guard mounts to the front, side or top of your stove with special high-temperature adhesive. Stove knob covers keeps children from being able to turn on both gas and electric stoves, while allowing easy removal by adults.

These are just some of the home safety devices available on the market today. For more suggestions, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Web site at www.cpsc.gov.