Child Proofing Your Home – Room by Room

Part One – Kitchen & Bathroom

Accidents, not illnesses, cause most child deaths. The major causes of death or injury to children under 14 years are car accidents, drowning, burns, falls, choking and poisoning.

The two major elements that are involved in keeping your child safe in your home are careful, thoughtful childproofing of every room in your house and your constant vigilance.

Here are some suggestions on how to keep your child out of harm´s way in your kitchen and bathroom.

The Kitchen

There are many potential accidents in a kitchen, so remember this rule of thumb:
"Never leave a small child alone in the kitchen."

Appliances and Equipment

Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so your child cannot grab and pull the pot and its hot contents down. Use back burners whenever possible.

Don´t allow your baby to play on the floor by the stove while you´re cooking.

Buy a stove guard so your child can´t reach or touch the burners.

Remove the knobs of the stove so the child will not be able to turn on the burners.

Always keep the dishwasher closed when not in use. Add detergent only when you´re ready to run the machine. Children are tempted to taste detergent and it may be harmful if eaten.

Counter Tops, Cupboards and Tables

Keep work areas as clear as possible so you can easily spot sharp or harmful objects.

Don´t allow your child to sit on the counter.

Keep appliance cords short by wrapping or winding them. Unplug all counter top appliances after every use. Put outlet covers on unused electrical sockets.

Install cabinet and drawer latches to keep their contents off limits to your baby. Remember that even items like toothpicks or bottle covers pose choking hazards to a baby or child.

Keep the trash container in a locked closet or cabinet. Its contents may be sharp, pointed or in other ways unsafe.

Keep all cleaning materials, pesticides and similar dangerous substances locked in a high cabinet. Keep them in their original containers and never in familiar food containers like milk cartons.

Never leave a bucket - even partially filled with water - on the floor. A curious toddler may fall headfirst and drown.

Use unbreakable dishes and glasses for a child.

Keep pet bowls and dishes out of reach.

Don´t ever hold your child in your arms while you cook. Never try to carry your baby and a cup of hot coffee or other hot liquid at the same time.

Keep plastic wrap and plastic bags (especially garbage bags and dry cleaning bags) out of your child’s reach.

Keep sharp kitchen utensils in securely latched drawers.

Don´t store cookies, crackers or other goodies over the stove, tempting your child to try to reach them.

The Highchair

Make sure the highchair has a wide base and a tray that locks securely. Be sure the tray is locked after you put your child in it and always hook up the seat restraint belt.

Watch your child´s fingers as you slide on the tray.

Put bathtub decals or a small rubber sink mat on a slippery highchair seat so your child is not prone to sliding off.

Never leave a baby alone in the highchair.

Keep the highchair at a safe distance from the table or counters – a child can tip the chair over by pushing off with hands or feet.

Make sure older children do not climb on the chair.

The Bathroom

In this room, the combination of water, poisonous substances and interesting appliances makes it as full of dangers as the kitchen.

Bathroom Fixtures

Keep the toilet lid down. Toilet lid locks are available. The swirling of the water fascinates children and the toilet can quickly become an area for water play, increasing the potential for drowning.

Get a soft spout cover for the bathtub faucet. Face your child away from the faucet as you bathe her. Place soft tub knob covers over hot and cold handles (especially the hot one) so children will not be able to turn them on.

Keep the water temperature for your house no higher than 120 degrees.

Test the bath water with the inside of your wrist before putting your baby in the tub.

Tip for bathtub: Put a small (under 1 yr) child in a sturdy laundry basket in the tub during bath time. This keeps the child contained and away from faucets.

Put non-skid appliques on the bottom of the tub to prevent slips and falls.

Never leave water standing in the tub when it is not in use.

Never leave a child unattended in a tub.

Medicines and Prescriptions

Be sure all medicines are in child-resistant containers.

Flush old medicines down the toilet and throw the bottles away.

Get a special lock for the medicine cabinet.

Don´t take any chances by giving medicine in the dark.

Don´t tell your child the medicine is "good" or "tastes like candy."

Other dangers in the Bathroom

Don´t leave electrical appliances, such as hair dryers, where your child can reach them and pull them in the tub or sink. Keep all appliances unplugged.

Use outlet covers.

Put a hook and eye lock on the bathroom door to keep your child out of the room altogether.

Attach covers to doorknobs or drape a towel over the top of the door to keep your child from locking himself in. Or, you can use very thick elastic bands (the kind used for broccoli are good) and socks and secure the socks on the doorknobs. Small kids can't grip tight enough to open the door.

Keep scissors and razors locked up. Dispose of razor blades safely.

Keep mouthwash, cosmetics, shampoo, perfume and other beauty products out of reach, as they can be poisonous.

Use plastic or paper drinking cups instead of glass.

Use a safety gate in a bathroom doorway.