Roughly, 2.5 million babies are injured or killed by accidents each year. Shockingly, these accidents take place at home. It is natural for us to believe that a baby that can barely crawl or walk is safe within the familiar and secure confines of his home. If so, how do these accidents happen?
Most homes are not childproofed well enough to ensure complete safety. So, whether your baby is on its way or you already have a healthy little one at home, NOW is the time to start childproofing in earnest. Time passes by in a jiffy, and before you cab say B-A-B-Y, your little one will be rolling, crawling and walking his way into just about everything.
While your baby is still on his back, you have him where you want him. But this luxury is not going to last forever. Childproofing can seem formidable at the outset. But once you take stock of the things you need to do, it becomes manageable. The first task is to select the areas of your house that can be made totally safe for Junior. The areas that have a lot of safety issues such as the bathrooms, kitchen, basement, upstairs etc should be cordoned off. Safety locks are the only way in which you can keep your little one away from all the objects that naturally pique his interest.
As he begins to get mobile, your baby is naturally curious about all the things you deny him. And your baby is just tall enough to cause maximum trouble. Oven doors, electrical outlets, and washing machines – are just the right size for him to explore. Little ones may open oven doors and crawl into them (God forbid!), or do the same thing with dishwashers.
Refrigerators are air tight, which means that if a baby manages to find his way into the fridge, he will soon choke due to lack of air. A one step remedy to all these dangerous problems is to install locking latches on all appliances that can be opened and closed by Junior.
Drawers and cabinets pose serious threats to babies. Most cabinets are storehouses where everything from kitchen knives to hammers and wenches are kept. Chemicals, medications and beauty products are also stored in them. You don’t need an active imagination to see what may happen if your baby gets his hands on these ‘goodies.’ Drawers and cabinets in every room must have latches on the inside.
The stairway is another big cause of worry. More than half of the nonfatal accidents among babies are directly attributed to stairs. You need to install safety gates at the bottom and top of stairs. Install locks on these gates, and always remember to LOCK the gates when baby is around you. Many parents install gates, but forget to lock them.
Good safety latches and locks should be easy to install and use. Your baby will express his displeasure in the locks by pulling them and pounding them. So, you will need locks that are sturdy enough to withstand pressure. Any lock that keeps a child out of harm’s way is good.
Some safety tips that will help:
- Install locks tightly and properly. Never take shortcuts when you install.
- A sturdy lock is the best kind of lock.
- Routinely check and service your locks.
- A child safety door lock is essential when you travel by car.
Safety locks and latches offer no foolproof guarantee when it comes to child safety. But they are a step in the right direction – a very crucial step.
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