As young children get older, they start to crawl and walk around the home. Parents can guard against possible dangers by conducting a home safety evaluation from the child’s point of view. The Home Safety Council recommends that parents look at each room from their child’s eye-level and use the following tips to make homes safer for young children:
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Young children need constant supervision, especially around water
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Install sturdy baby gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs.
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Install child safety locks on cabinets to safely store matches and lighters, chemicals, cleaners, medicines, cosmetics, and other toxic and/or caustic products.
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Purchase cleaners, household chemicals, medications and other potentially hazardous products with child resistant packaging.
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Post the national Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) and other emergency numbers next to every phone.
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Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.
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Install toilet seat locks; turn over all buckets and store them up high, where they cannot collect standing water or be reached by children. When young children are in the bath, near a pool, a toilet or other standing water, play close attention and stay within arm’s reach of them at all times.
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Test faucet water at the tap and adjust water heater to 120°F or below.
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If your home has a pool, surround it on all sides with installed fencing and a self-latching gate.
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Never leave a child unattended near standing water, even for a moment.
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Locate cribs, beds, chairs and other furniture away from windows.
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Install window locks or safety guards on above-ground windows. Be sure they have a quick-release mechanism in case of fire. |
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Keep window treatment cords and sashes tied and stored up high overhead; purchase new mini-blinds that meet safety standards.
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Store matches, lighters, candles and other fire tools out of children's sight and reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
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