Childproofing Health Article

Childproofing

Refers to the practice of altering an environment in such a way as to maximize the safety of small children.

According to the National Safety Council, 2,100 children, ages four and under, died as the result of home accidents during 1992. Of that total, 400 died by drowning, 100 by poisoning, and 120 in falls. Pediatricians advise parents to start thinking about home safety when their children are around six months old. As soon as the child is even slightly mobile, childproofing the house is a wise practice. Traditionally, this has meant removing breakable objects and storing household chemicals out of reach. In recent years, parents have recognized that safety hazards exist in every area of the home. Many parents have installed safety devices throughout the house, including electrical outlet covers, safety gates at tops and bottoms of stairs, and guards over windows. Window protection is vital to avoiding accidental falls. Many types of window guards are available, most of which are permanently affixed to the window sash so that in case of fire, occupants are required to break the glass in order to escape.

The following section describes common precautions that may be taken to avoid accidents in the home:

In the bathroom

• Medicine cabinets should be locked. Razors, scissors, bathroom appliances, and chemicals should be stored in a locked cabinet. (Even iron pills or mouthwash can poison children).
• Medications and cleansers should have child-resistant packaging.
• Toilet locks can be installed to prevent the lid from being lifted by young children. Since children's bodies are top-heavy, they may easily lose their balance, fall over, and drown in as little as one inch of water.
• Faucet protectors prevent bumps and bruises in the tub.
• Water temperature should be lowered to 120°F. Every year, approximately 5,000 children are scalded by tap water, usually in the bathtub.

In the kitchen

• Store household chemicals in locked cabinets.
• Keep appliance cords and tablecloths out of reach. Children who are just learning to walk will reach for anything to help them keep their balance, and may pull appliances down on top of themselves.
• Keep hot foods and beverages, knives, and glassware away from the edges of counters and tables.
• Use only back burners on the stove, if possible, and turn pot handles towards the back of the stove.