Small children seem to have an insatiable appetite for exploring,
but little or no understanding of danger. If you have an active infant or
toddler, you know that these traits can often lead to trouble. As a matter
of fact, statistics show that home accidents account for more children's
injuries and fatalities than all childhood diseases combined.
Here are a few steps you can take to insure your children's safety. Coupled
with your own awareness and constant vigilance, these procedures might help
you coach your kids through childhood without any heart-wringing emergency
room visits. The specialized hardware shown can be purchased at building
supply dealers or children's specialty stores.
Be sure to:
Lock up all poisons and dangerous objects. Eliminate clutter and store prized
possessions. Keep all tools organized and out of children's reach.
Turn down your water temperature to a maximum of 120 degrees.
Put sleeves on doorknobs to bar toddlers from dangerous areas. Also utilize
door and window locks, but be sure older children can get them open in an
emergency.
Discuss emergency escape routes and procedures with all family members.
Keep escape ladders near second-story emergency exits. Put emergency numbers
on or next to the phone, where family members and babysitters can find them.
For the whole family's safety, install a smoke detector on each floor of
your house, adjacent to bedrooms, in any stairwell, and in living/dining
area.
Replace outlet covers (that kids can reach) with protective covers. For
unused outlets, smaller plastic outlet plugs guard children from accidental
shock.
Check crib bar spacing. It should be no greater than 2 3/8". Be sure
all baby gear meets the standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
(write for information: Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington,
D.C. 20207).
Put childproof latches on cabinet doors and drawers-- particularly those
containing dangerous or fragile objects.
Install baby gates at doorways where needed, and at top and bottom of stairways.
Pad sharp furniture or counter edges with foam tape. Put corner protectors
on sharp edges. Eliminate or tape-down loose rugs or electrical cords that
might trip children.
Enclose open deck railings with welded wire mesh. Just cut it with tin snips,
nail or staple in place, file off sharp ends. Substitute acrylic sheets
for interior railings.
Fence-in swimming pool and other dangerous areas. For enclosing a pool,
fence height should be at least 4 feet-- better 5 feet. Be sure to provide
a self-closing, self-latching gate.
Check outdoor play equipment. Cut off protruding bolts, tighten loose nuts,
put non-slip coating on slippery slide steps, replace hard swing seats with
soft material, provide soft ground cover, anchor support legs.
Secure curtain cords to tie-down or cleat on wall.
Tie canvas or acrylic panels along open ballusters .
Install door or window safety locks/hardware (older children must be able
to open).
--Don Vandervort
