DIY Childproofing Tips

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Hazard-proof the home to
protect little ones.
Photo: Safety1st.com

When little ones begin to crawl and walk, it’s time to childproof the home. Childproofing services exist for a fee, but for many parents on a budget, Do-It-Yourself childproofing is the most feasible option.

Many hidden hazards lurk in the home, but childproofing doesn’t have to be stressful. Julie Vallese, Consumer Safety Expert for Safety 1^st, recommends these simple and easy tips to safeguard beyond locking cabinets and using outlet covers.

Safeguarding Tips

• A recent study from the CPSC shows that over 5,000 children annually are treated in emergency rooms for falls from windows. Make sure all windows have window locks to help prevent falls.
• Beware of toy stacking. Children will pile up anything to get a view outside through the window. Additionally, most screens cannot hold up to the weight of a small child, nor are they meant to. The study showed that in 83% of reported falls, window screens were on the window when the child fell through.
• Anchor all heavy furniture or appliances to the wall that could topple onto children as a result of climbing or pulling. According to the CPSC the most common tip-over scenarios involved toddlers who had climbed onto, fallen against or pulled themselves up onto furniture. About 70% of children's fatalities involved falling televisions, and 27% involved only furniture falling.
• Use a flat screen TV lock to help prevent falling televisions and use furniture wall straps to attach large furniture to the wall.  
• Remove out of reach anything that will fit inside an empty cardboard toilet paper roll as they could pose a choking hazard.
• Remove dish towels from an oven door; a child could pull on the towel and hit his or her head on an oven door.
• Utilize an oven lock to prevent the door from opening, and use stove knob covers like Clear View from Safety 1^st to keep kids from accidentally turning on the stove.
• Babies can fall into and get stuck in a toilet or front load washer. The toilet also poses a water source and a place where kids love to throw toys. Try to keep these rooms off limits or install a Front Load Washer-Dryer Lock, or the ProGrade™ Push-Button Toilet Lock to keep children safe.
• Ensure all cabinets and drawers are locked and off limits. Young kids love opening and closing cabinet doors and drawers, potentially giving them access to hazards such as sharp utensils, small appliances, and cleaning supplies. To satisfy their curiosities, allow a safe zone for kids to explore such as by leaving the plastic storage containers drawer unlocked.

For more information on child safety, please visit the Safety 1^st Facebook page: www.facebook.com/safety1st  

Disclosure: Author did not receive any compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are solely those of the author.