Childproofing ... Creating a Safe Environment For Your Little Ones

By Ted Browne

Whew! You survived another warm weather season and the safety hazards associated with that – swimming pools, bike riding, fireworks, and all those other fun outdoor activities. Now, as the weather gets cooler and we approach the winter holiday season, it’s time to turn inside your home and start thinking about what you can do to prevent unnecessary accidents and injuries to your children.

hether you’re just moving into a new house or have lived in your house for many years, it’s important to always keep child safety in mind. Each year, thousands of children are injured or die as a result of household safety hazards.

Taking the time to review the following simple tips can help make sure you have a safe home environment and that you and your children will have a fun and safe holiday.

Throughout the Home
Use socket guards to prevent electrical injury. Keep stairwells well-lit and blocked off, both top and bottom, with gates and free them of clutter. Doors should be closed and locked wherever possible to prevent children from wandering outside or into another room and out of your line of vision.

Be alert to signs of carbon monoxide poisoning: headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. Because the symptoms are similar to other illnesses, such as the flu, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that each household have (in addition to smoke detectors on each level) a carbon monoxide detector on each level. Low-level exposure to carbon monoxide over a long period of time can be just as harmful as high concentrations over a short period of time – particularly to infants and children.

Windows and Window Coverings
One of the most overlooked areas in the home are the windows. Whether open or closed, windows are a potential hazard to the safety and well-being of small children. Keep cribs and furniture away from windows and use window locks to lock “open” sash windows to a safe height, preventing them from being opened any further. Use window guards on all second- and third-story windows to prevent children from falling out. Install safety glass in large windows and French doors so they won’t shatter, even if a child falls on them.

Even more importantly, don’t forget the window covering cords. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC), an estimated 200+ children have died as a result of accidental strangulation from window covering cords since 1991. The WCSC strongly recommends replacing window coverings that were manufactured prior to 2001 with products that are manufactured to today’s more stringent standards. If you prefer to keep your older treatments, a free repair kit can be obtained through the WCSC by calling 1-800-505-4636 or visiting their website at www.windowcoverings.org. 

In addition to safety improvements to corded window covering products, there are many new product innovations which not only enhance safety, but also ease-of-use. Many types of products, such as wood blinds, mini-blinds, roller shades, and honeycomb shades can be ordered in cordless configurations. Motorization is also an increasingly popular trend, either battery-operated or hard-wired to your home’s electrical system. 
When purchasing window coverings, always insist on using a well-known national brand offered by a reputable and know-ledgeable dealer. This way, you can be assured that the coverings are manufactured to the latest safety standards. There have been instances reported of blinds sold in national retail stores which did not meet the 2001 safety standards up to three years later!

The Kitchen
Make sure that handles of pots and pans are turned inward while cooking so children cannot grab them off the stove and get burned. Outfit appliances with safety latches and keep household cleaning supplies locked away. Tie up cords on appliances that are stored on the countertop to keep them out of children’s reach.

The Bathroom
Never leave small children unattended in a bathtub, even for a second. Older bath seats lack safety standards, and they can easily tip over or allow your child to slide out. The seats have been linked to more than 80 infant deaths over the past two decades. Don’t ever depend on a seat to protect your child from drowning. Apply non-slip decals in the tub and shower to help prevent slipping. Make sure your medicine cabinet is locked at all times, as children often mistake medicines for candy.

The Rest of the Home
Several times a year, conduct a room-by-room walkthrough to identify potential dangers in the home. Get down on your hands and knees to get a child’s-eye view of your home. Think about what might be tempting to a toddler and what’s within reach. Don’t just concentrate on the obvious – even the most seemingly inconsequential item, such as a splinter on a shelving unit, a stray pen, or an untacked carpet can pose a potential danger to small children.

Holiday Safety
When choosing a Christmas tree, either choose a fire-resistant artificial tree or a fresh live one. Keep your live tree stand filled with water and keep the tree away from the fireplace or radiator. Never string more than three sets of lights on a single extension cord and don’t overload electrical outlets. Avoid breakable decorations on the tree and make sure the tree is secure and can’t be easily tipped over. Keep in mind that artificial snow and flocking materials are not edible, so avoid them if there are younger children in the home.

Candles should never be left unattended, placed in an area where they can be easily knocked over, or near flammable curtains or decorations.
It is especially likely that a home isn’t childproofed if you are visiting grandma and grandpa and they don’t usually have children in the house. You may think that you will watch your kids more closely, but this is hard if there are a lot of family members and friends present and the kids are all playing together. If there are going to be a lot of younger children present at a holiday gathering, you might consider volunteering to go over beforehand and childproof the house for them.

Follow these tips and you’ll have a safe and enjoyable holiday season. Before you know it, the leaves will be growing back, the spring flowers will be blooming, and you’ll have to think once again about the outdoor hazards!

Ted Browne is owner of Gotcha Covered Window Fashions of Raleigh. Having three small boys at home, Ted is well-versed in the subject of child safety. Thus far, the worst injury sustained is a broken finger. Ted can be reached at 363-4230 or gotchacoveredraleigh@nc.rr.com.