A useful guide on making your home a safe play haven for your toddler.
Although you may have baby-proofed your home, you still have to toddler-proof it once your little one is up and running around. Here are some key things to keep in mind when toddler-proofing your home:
- · Keep a list of emergency phone numbers beside every phone in your home. Make sure to include poison control as well. Accidental poisonings are at their height in the toddler years.
- · Keep all medications and cleaners in their original containers in cause there is an accidental poisoning so you will know exactly what was consumed.
- · Tuck curtain and blind cords up where little hands can’t reach. Strangulation is a real concern when it comes to these.
- · Move high chairs, cribs and other furniture away from windows, appliances and other possible hazards. If some furniture is not stationary (i.e. kitchen chairs) consider putting them away, like in a closet, so your little one can’t push them and use them to climb up on things.
- · Make sure all your windows have locks on them and that the screens are secure and are backed with screen guards.
- · Keep your toddler away from portable heaters and baseboard heaters.
- · Put plastic safety covers on all electrical outlets.
- · Unplug electrical appliances and extension cords when they aren’t in use.
- · Equip your drawers and cupboard doors with toddler-proof latches.
- · Put window guards on all second story windows.
- · To avoid tipping, attach all bookcases and tall dressers to the wall. Do not put heavy objects on top of these pieces of furniture.
- · Have a fire extinguisher near each exit of your home.
- · Keep lighters and matches out of toddlers reach.
- · Be careful where you toss your loose change and keys. These are a huge choke hazard.
- · Make sure to change the batteries in your smoke detection at least twice a year (a good reminder is to do it when you change your clocks).
- · Any space heaters or extension cords in your home should meet all current safety standards.
- · Avoid area rugs and clean up spills right away to clear out any tripping hazards.
- · Don’t leave your toddler and pet alone in the same room.
- · Keep small items such as coins, marbles, pen or marker caps or small batteries out of reach. This may mean cleaning out the junk drawer or locking the desk drawers.
- · Keep the kitty litter and box somewhere that is off limits to your toddler.
- · Make sure all your plants and flowers in the house are toddler friendly. Check with poison control to see which houseplants are poisonous if your toddler decides to snack on them.
The copyright of the article Toddler-Proofing in Infant & Toddler Health is owned by Tanya Campbell. Permission to republish Toddler-Proofing in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
