It's Time to Child Proof Your Home

If you've got an active toddler running around getting into everything and anything then it's time to really start child proofing your home and everything in it.  Here are some tips on how to start child proofing and keep your child safe from harm.

When Your Toddler Gets into Everything

Does your toddler seem to find things around the house he isn’t supposed to?  Toddlers are naturally curious.  Because they are, here are some suggestions on what to do when your toddler gets into everything.

While most parents-to-be begin the process of child proofing their home or apartment, if a child wants to find something, eventually he or she will.  That’s why experts advise that you keep a watchful eye on your toddler at all times.  They move so quickly, one turn of the head and they could be in another part of your home rummaging through a drawer.

Here are some tips which may help in preventing your toddler from finding things which can be dangerous to his health.  There was a program on recently about this topic and it advised parents to view their home from a child’s perspective.  That is, get down on the floor and look around from your child’s eye level.  Once you have done that, you will be able to ascertain more clearly what your toddler can be exposed to that you have missed.

In addition, experts on child safety in the home offer these tips:  Purchase gates and place them at the top and bottom of stairs, if applicable.  Put safety locks on all cabinets where you keep your detergents and cleaners, medicines and makeup.  Purchase toilet seat locks.  Adjust water faucets to 120 degrees or lower. 

If you have a backyard pool, install a fence encircling it and add a lock to the gat opening.  Move all furniture in the child’s room away from the window.  If you live in an apartment, install window gates.  Put window locks on windows in your child’s room.  Keep all lighters, candles, matches out of the reach of toddlers.  Put locks on drawers that contain sharp objects.  Install covers on all electrical outlets. 

Keep all plastic bags out of the reach of toddlers.  Ensure that when you are cooking on the stove, that the pot handles are not facing outward.
Keep an eye on your toddler at all times.  Place high gate around plants and flower beds that may be caustic to your toddler.  Finally, always keep emergency numbers listed near your telephone, specifically the number of your nearest poison center.

When we were toddlers and came near the stove, mom would always say “hot, hot, hot!!”  Children have to be taught at an early age what they can touch and what they can’t.  While some say this method makes them more curious, others will point out better safe than sorry.

It’s a natural thing for kids to want to get into everything.  So the answer is to ensure there is nothing around for them to get into.