Baby Proofing Tips

Share these basic childproofing tips to help keep babies and children safe by reducing the risk of injury in a house or apartment.

• Never use pressure gates on stairs.
• Keep poisons high and out of reach.
• Avoid plugging electrical outlets with plastic prongs. Kids can remove these and choke on them.
• Cords from electrical appliances and phones should be bundled out of reach.
• Turn your hot water heater below 120 degrees to avoid scalding. Remove tablecloths.
• Block pet doors because babies tend to follow animals outdoors. Turn pot handles to the back of the stove.
• Remove magnets from refrigerators because if they fall, they can go into a child’s mouth.
• Remove the gas jet key from the fireplace.
• Avoid tacking or stapling electrical cords to walls because the tacks and staples can be pulled out and swallowed.
• Take down wall hangings and mobiles over the crib after the child is five to seven months.
• Lift blind cords out of the reach of children.
• Make the garage off limits.
• Post emergency numbers, including poison control, next to all phones.
• Keep a first aid kit.
• Check the plastic cap on the end of door stops. It’s a choking hazard, so either remove it, glue it on, or replace it with a one-piece plastic doorstop.

Editorial provided by Dr. David Lask, owner of Childproofers of St. Louis. For additional information contact Childproofers of St. Louis at 314-962-BABY or www.childproofers.com.