HAYATI LIVING
EASY TIPS TO
BABY-PROOFING
YOUR HOME
T
By WebMD
o help make this
endeavor as easy as
possible, WebMD
has compiled a
how-to guide for
baby-proofing.
it's easiest to avoid any burning
problem by keeping [it] at 110°."
Consider
purchasing
and
installing toilet lid locks, she says.
"Babies are fascinated by water,"
Cronan says.
fingers or a bobby pin in exposed
outlets and can get a serious burn,"
Cronan says.
Check for exposed outlets behind
furniture that you may have
overlooked.
But remember, "You cannot create
an environment that's 100% safe.
Baby-proofing goes hand-inhand with close supervision,"
says Kate Cronan, MD, chief of
pediatric emergency services at
A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children
in Wilmington, Del. "There's no
substitute for somebody watching
your child -- that's the best way
to prevent an injury in babyhood
and childhood."
Doors
Put decals on sliding-glass doors
so your child won't run into them.
Use doorknob covers on doors
that you don't want your child to
open.
Fireplace
"Purchase a fireplace hearth cover
because once kids learn to walk
or crawl, they run a risk of falling
into a fireplace," Cronan says.
Ready-made or even homemade
cushiony devices that go around
the hearth also can keep them out
of harm's way.
Bathroom
Start by turning down the water
temperature on your water heater,
advises Cronan. "When you
put your baby in the bath tub,
Electricity
Cover all unused electrical outlets
with safety plugs that snap into
outlets. "As soon as toddlers start
crawling, they will try to put their
Windows
Install window guards or adjust
windows so they cannot open
more than six inches.
Tie up the cords to blinds so that
a child doesn't get tangled up in
Each year, more than 4.5 million them.
children are injured in the home, Do not place a crib, playpen,
according to the National SAFE highchair, or bed anywhere near
KIDS Campaign.
blind cords.
Install safety glass in low windows
And parents can prevent many and French doors so they won't
common
serious
childhood shatter if a child falls into them.
injuries by knowing where the Don't place furniture or anything
dangers lie and how to protect that can be climbed on near a
children from them.
window.
Stairways
Install gates once they start
crawling. "Put them at the bottom
of stairways to prevent them from
getting up the stairs. And if you
are worried about them getting
out of a bedroom, put a gate on
that doorway," Cronan says.
"Don't put a gate at the top of the
steps, because some babies can
climb up a gate and fall from an
even higher height," she says.
Place the safety gate bar latch on
the side away from your child's
reach.
Never leave anything on the stairs
that you can trip on while carrying
your baby.
HAYATI 65