What is childproofing?

Childproofing is creating a safer home environment for your curious  child who is moving around and discovering a fascinating new world.

Childproofing the kitchen

Place all poisons or cleaning goods in a locked cabinet or out of reach.

Cook on the back burners and turn pot and pan handles towards the back of the stove.

Secure all plastic wrappers and plastic bags out of your child’s  reach to avoid accidental suffocation. Never let children play with  plastic bags.

Turn your hot water temperature down to 120 degrees F so that hot water in the kitchen sink will not scald a curious toddler.

Do not use a microwave to heat up formula because it may heat the  formula unevenly – some parts of the liquid may become very hot while  other parts remain cold.

Childproofing the bathroom

Place all medicines in a locked cabinet or out of reach. Use childproof caps.

Never leave your child unattended in or near a container of water  (baths, toilets, buckets, pools, etc.) to avoid accidental drowning. A  child can drown in very shallow water if they are face-down in the  water.

Turn your hot water temperature down to 120 degrees F so that hot water in the tub will not scald a curious toddler.

Childproofing the car

Always buckle up your child in the car: car seats, boosters and/or lap belts.

Never leave a child unattended in a car. The inside of a car can  become dangerously hot very quickly. Do not allow children to sit inside  a closed car without adult supervision.

Childproofing to prevent poisoning

Place all cleaning goods and medicines behind locked cabinets or safely out of reach. Use childproof caps.

Learn how to use Ipecac, a medicine that causes vomiting in order to  get rid of poisons. NEVER use Ipecac without first being instructed to  do so by our office or the poison control center.

Have a bottle of Ipecac in your house and in the glove compartment of your car.

Post the emergency number and poison control numbers next to your phone.

Do not leave medicines, even over the counter medicines, out on a  table, bureau or shelf. Make sure pocketbooks (purses) are kept up high,  out of reach. Most women keep medicines in their purses.

Avoid keeping poisonous plants, inside and outside your home.

Childproofing to prevent fires

Keep all matches and lighters out of reach.

Keep working fire extinguishers in your house.

Test the battery in your smoke alarms once a month, and change the  battery every six months (good times are spring and fall when you adjust  your clocks).

Make sure fireplaces, woodstoves and space heaters are surrounded by fire screens or safe guards.

Have a fire drill and go over fire exits with your children. Children  will often hide in closets and under the bed in fires. Make sure to  designate a meeting place outside in case of a fire.

Do not store gasoline or propane inside your home.

Place flashlights in key places in your home so exit during a fire is easier.

General childproofing

Never leave your infant unstrapped in an infant carrier, car seat, or  in a stroller or high chair. DO NOT place an infant in a car seat or  infant carrier up on a table or shelf.

Avoid leaving many small objects around that your child may choke on  such as peanuts, coins, small toys, hard candies, rubber balloons, etc.  This is especially important for small children with older brothers and  sisters.

Know what to do if your child is choking. Please refer to the choking page to review instructions on responding to choking at home.

Cover all electrical outlets with safety caps.

Check electrical cords to see they are not frayed. Never let your child play with an electrical cord or put one in his mouth.

Use gates and locks at the top and bottom of stairwells to prevent falls.

Do not use walkers. Children can fall down stairs or run into furniture. Jumpers or swings are safer alternatives.

Never leave your child unattended on a table or bed. Always have one  hand on your child when he is on a high surface. Put the crib side up  when your child is in the crib.

Never leave your child unattended with pets.

Use window guards. Screens alone are not enough to prevent falls.