| All parents know that protecting your children from | | | | toxic matters out from low spaces and stash them |
| the many dangers that they face in their youngest | | | | away on a high shelf. Do the same with your |
| stages can be difficult and multi-faceted. From the | | | | medicine cabinet, and keep an eye on purses or bags |
| inside dangers that run the gamut from sharp kitchen | | | | that may contain pill boxes or prescription medication. |
| utensils to hot surfaces to steep stairs, to the | | | | Also, don't forget about toxic liquids in the garage |
| outside dangers of burglars and natural disasters, | | | | and the garden shed; fertilizers, weed killers, auto oil, |
| parents need to be prepared for anything. From the | | | | and gasoline are serious hazards. |
| most simple precautions such as stowing glass | | | | Another problem area is with small objects that |
| objects to the big issues of installing home security | | | | children could place into their mouths and choke on. |
| systems, parents have to be able to anticipate the | | | | Be sure that your child plays with age-appropriate |
| most imminent dangers and prevent them before | | | | toys that do not have removable or detachable parts |
| accidents happen. | | | | that could be swallowed, and scan your home for |
| Child-proofing your home requires some common | | | | low-lying small objects, including marbles, coins, small |
| sense and some basic tools. Begin by situating a | | | | jewelry, pins, and candy bowls with small candies. |
| baby's crib in a part of the child's bedroom that is | | | | Cover electrical outlets with child-proof outlet covers |
| away from any lamps that the child could burn | | | | to prevent your child from sticking their fingers or |
| themselves on or curtains that they could use to | | | | any foreign objects into the slots and electrocuting |
| hoist themselves up over the edge of the crib. In | | | | themselves. The same goes for the home security |
| case of a fall, the child should be provided with | | | | system, which should be installed well off the ground |
| cushioning, in the form of rugs and floor pillows, that | | | | and without any hanging cords or wires that the child |
| could protect them from head injuries or other | | | | could get into. |
| serious problems. The same rule should be applied to | | | | Also, be sure to safeguard your child from sharp |
| the area around the changing table, from which the | | | | edges around the home. Table corners and doorways |
| child could fall if left unattended for even just a few | | | | are particularly dangerous areas, and should be |
| seconds. | | | | padded at least until the child is comfortable on his or |
| Poisonous substances are all around us and need to | | | | her feet. Chairs and side tables that are unsteady |
| be stored in such a way as to not allow children to | | | | should either be moved against a wall or secured in |
| accidentally swallow them. Many containers come | | | | place to prevent a child from trying to climb onto the |
| designed with child-proof lids that even some adults | | | | surface and slipping and falling. |
| have trouble prying off, but for extra caution, pull | | | | |