Top Childproofing Secrets From the Pros

1. Top childproofing secrets from the Pros
1.Several experts recommend literally crawling from room to room to see
everything your child has access to. Anything that poses a hazard within reach
should be moved.
2.Sometimes there isn’t a specific product to address a hazard, reminds
Linette Palmer, co-owner of a babyproofing service Family First. “You may
need to block off an area,” she says, or “get creative with solutions.”
3.In some cases, wait a few years before introducing certain items. “There’s
no way to make a tall halogen lamp safe until your kid is old enough to know
not to knock it over,” says Palmer.
4.Keep certain latches or locks a secret from your children, and don’t let them
see you operate them, suggests the team at Family First. If they watch you
unlatch the dishwasher or a particular cabinet, they may learn to do so
themselves.
5.Do not refer to medicine as candy when you give your child a dose, as it may
entice him to want to try other medicines he gets his hands on by accident.
6.“Don’t forget about pet bowls,” says Palmer. “A child can drown in a big
bowl of water for the dog.”
7.Unfortunately, you’re never entirely done childproofing. The Academy of
Pediatrics recommends doing a “child’s-eye view” survey each New Year.
8.Constantly scan your floors and easy-to-reach surfaces for loose change,
buttons, dropped pieces of food or any other small objects that kids could
choke on.
9.And no matter how well you childproof your home, you also need to be
prepared for accidents. Be sure that the phone numbers of your pediatrician,
poison control and the address of the nearest hospital are posted in an
easy-to-find place for any caregivers.