Childproof Checklist

Child Proofing Your Home

Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death and injury in children. Most of these injuries are preventable…

Once your child begins to crawl there is no end to their explorations. Their little minds are craving stimulation and their world is becoming more exciting to them everyday.

At five or six months they are learning to sit without assistance and by seven months they are attempting to crawl or hitching backward.

In a blink of an eye they are making advancement toward being mobile and it is up to us to make their world a safe place for them to grow.

Prevention of the most commom injuries are listed below:

Falls:

• Safety gates can be placed at the bothe the top and bottom of all stairs.
• Safety locks are on all exterior doors and all windows avoe the first floor.

Choking:

• Keep plastic bags, ballons and make sure small objects re not left around the house.
• Toys should not have strings or cords and avoid necklaces
• Toys do not have small removable parts that could cause your child to choke.
• Check the floor daily for small objects your child could put in their mouth

and choke.

Burns:

• Safety guards should protect fireplaces, heaters and wood stoves.
• Smoke detectors are installed in all bedrooms and hallways and are checked every month.
• Have a fire escape plan.

Accidents:

• Firarms are unloaded and locked. Ammunition is locked away in a separate place.
• All cords are ot of your child’s reach; electrical, telephone as well as cord cords on drapes and blinds.
• Safety plug placed in all outlets.
• Furniture such as floor lamps and bookshelves are secured to prevent tipping over.
• Delicate breakable and valuable items are out of reach.
• Avoid leaving buckets or contaners of water on the floor to prevent drowning.

Poisoning

• Medications, alcoholic beverages, cleaning agents, furniture polish, insecticides,batteries and dischwasher soap are to be locked in cabinests. Preferably upper cabinest. Do not keep medications in your purse.
• Poison control’s number is 1-800-222-1222, post by phone and give to all of your child’s caretaker’s.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms near bedrooms and on each floor of your home.

There are ways to create safe spaces. With a little ingenuity ther are ways to foresee preventable accidents and afford your child a safe and happy childhood. Listed below are some things you can do to keep your child safe:

Kitchen:

• Latch drawers and cupborads. Leave one cabinet open with plactic bowls and wooden spoons that re safe for child play.
• Turn pot handlestoward te back of the stove when cooking Use back burners for cooking when possible.
• Put fire extinguishers beyond little children’s reach.
• Tablecloths should be out of reach.
• Knives are locked away. Jagged edges of foil or plastic wrap packages are not within reach.

Bathroom:

• Never leave your child alone in the bath, not even for a moment.
• No slip strips are installed on the bottom of the bathtub.
• Adjust hot water heater to 120 degrees to prevent scalding burns.
• Medications are locked in cabines out of reach. Medications should not be left on couuntertops.
• Shampo, soap and wastebasket should be put away.
• Toilet lids kept down and latched to prevent drowning. Rubber stops are on the lids to prevent finger injuries.
• Install a hook and eye latch on the bathroom door above your child’s reach to prevent them entering the bathroom without your knowledge.

Garage/Outdoors

• Pants, varnich, paint thinners, gasoline, pesticides and fertilizers are toxic and should be locked in a cabinet.
• Power tools are unplugged and out of reach.
• Unused refrigerators, freezers, or ice chest are locked or have their door removed.
• Hot tubs and spas have a locked cover. Swimming pools are fenced on all sides with a self-latching gate.
• Notify your doctor if you live in a home built before 1978 and you have done any remodeling because of the risks associated with lead paint.

Another catagory that may have been overlooked is plants. There are species of poisonous plants that bear mentioning:

Most dangerous:
Castor Bean, Jimson weed, Nightshade, Pokeweed and Olenader can be deadly.

Other poisonous plants include:
Amaryllis, Begonia, Balck Locust, Bittersweet, Buttercups, Chysanthemum,
Autumn Crocus, Daffodil, Dieffenbachia, Elephant Ears, English Ivy,
Foxgloves, Holly, Iris, Jerusalem Cherry Larkspur, Lily of the Valley,
Monkshood, Narcissus, Poinsettia, Philodendron, Peace Lily, Snow on the
Mountain, Schefflera, and Yews.

Last but not least, nothing takes the place of being proactive and
doing some preliminary preparation to prevent accidents. All of the above
information helps with prevention but if any accident does occur contact
emergency services or your health care provider immediately for further
information for care.

And most important; enjoy your child during their growing years…