Crime Prevention Tips

Childproofing

Your child is naturally curious about his surroundings, and does not always realize the danger associated with touching an electrical outlet, or playing near a hot oven. Childproofing your home is one of the best ways to avoid accidental injuries, but it is important to remember that nothing is as effective as your own supervision.

• Install hardware-mounted secure safety gates at the top and bottom of any stairways in your home. Consider using doorknob protectors on any doors that open into a stairway to prevent fall-related injuries.
• Make sure that the gaps between the upright posts on railings are not more than 4 inches apart. If they are, cover the railing with a fine, heavyweight netting so a child cannot become caught between the rails.
• Make certain that the doors to walk-in closets and pantries can be opened from the inside as well as the outside.
• Secure rugs with nonskid pads or heavy pieces of furniture. Children could easily slip and bruise themselves on unsecured rugs.
• Avoid thick pile carpeting, if at all possible. Small objects, such as buttons and sewing needles, can hide within the pile, easily finding their way to your child's mouth. Opt for tightly woven, flat-weave, or low-pile carpeting.
• Always keep a fire extinguisher in an easy-to-reach location, and know how to properly use it.
• Install outlet covers, outlet plugs, and plug locks on all outlets and cords that are not currently in use.
• Always unplug appliances when they are not in use. If it is an appliance that you are unable to unplug, such as a garbage disposal, consider using a switch lock. You are still able to use the appliance, but your child is protected from accidentally turning it on.
• Use cord shorteners to minimize the length of your appliance cords.
• Always turn handles to the center of the stove so children are unable to pull pots and pans on top of themselves. Use stove knob covers and oven locks to prevent burns.
• Put safety locks and latches on all cupboards and drawers.
• Install a childproof lock on your medicine cabinet.
• Set your water heater no higher than 120 degrees to prevent burns, and install grab bars and non-slip surfaces in tubs and showers to prevent falls.
• Never leave your child unattended in the bathtub.
• Eliminate the loop in two-corded blinds and shades, and install a cord tie-down device to prevent strangulation.
• Make sure that crib bars are no more than 2-3/8 inches apart, and that decorative cutouts are small enough to keep baby's head from becoming trapped.
• Find a mattress that fits well enough to leave no more than the width of two fingers between it and the sides of the crib.