With 2-1/2 million children each year hurt or killed at home, you as prospective new parent will want to make sure that your new baby will not become part of that statistic. There are inexpensive, but very effective safety products that will keep your child safe around the home and give you peace of mind. You don't need to be a rocket scientist, or own a professional set of tools to install these safety products. You can find these products in a variety of places; a grocery store, your local hardware store, baby specialty stores, and through online stores.
Below you will find a list of the most important safety products for you to buy to keep your baby, and even an older child safe:
#1. Safety Gate: Even if you live in a single story home, there may be a room, or rooms that you want to keep your child out of for safety reasons. You could be painting, or replacing the flooring in a room. The last thing you want is for your child to crawl or toddle in and get hurt. Safety gates provide a barrier that your child can't get through, but are easily used by adults. If you live in a two story home, then you will definitely need a safety gate, even if there is a door at the top or bottom of the stairs. For a gate at the top of stairs, opt for one that is semi-permanent by having it screw into the door jam. Gates that only use pressure to stay in place can be "beasted" down by a determined child, or be knocked out of kilter by a clumsy adult.
#2. Safety Latches: Given that you have cooking utensils of a variety of sharpness's and a myriad of cleaning chemicals in drawers and cabinets; you will want to make sure that your child can't get into them. Even with moving all the dangerous chemicals out from under any cabinets, you still need to keep your child from getting into any area that is confined and has water pipes. Don't go for the expensive latches that require the dexterity of a magician to manipulate, but the latches need to be sturdy enough to keep your child from opening them. Be aware that safety latches aren't a guaranteed assurance that your child won't be able to figure them out as they get older, but they provide a barrier that can keep your child safe.
#3. Anti Scalding Device: Water temperature in a home with children should be no higher than 120 degrees. This can be easily solved simply by turning down the temperature on your water heater. That being said, if you live in an older home, your child could still be in danger if water is being run for a bath for them and someone uses the cold water in another part of the home. We all have experienced the "Oh my gosh" moment when someone flushes the toilet, or turns on the hot water in the kitchen while we are showering. It is uncomfortable, but we are adults; you don't want your child getting into a bath or shower and having the water turn scalding hot. Unless you are well versed in plumbing, you may want to consider having an anti scalding device installed by a professional.
#4. Door Knob Covers: As soon as your little one can grasp and reach the door knobs, they will be tying to open them. Door knob covers are an easy and inexpensive way to keep your child out of rooms that could pose a danger and more importantly, keep them inside your home. Before buying any door knob covers, try them out. Most baby stores will have samples, as do some hardware stores. In this way your can see if the less expensive ones are such because they are flimsy. You also want to make sure that these door knob covers are just keeping your child from opening a door and not you too!
#5. Window Guards and Safety Nets: These are an important safety feature especially if you live in a multi-story building. Window guards offer you peace of mind when you have the windows opened on a beautiful day. Safety nets are important if you have a deck or balcony. The netting will keep your child from slipping through the rails and suffering a nasty fall.
#6. Edge and Corner Bumpers: It's amazing how many sharp corners and edges you discover in your home when you bring home a baby. Fireplace hearths are notoriously hard and even sharp; edge and corner bumpers may not take all the pain away from a fall, but they will definitely soften the fall.
#7. Outlet Covers and Plates: Tiny fingers explore everywhere and are always trying to put a round peg in a square hole. The one place you don't want your child to explore is the outlets in your home. Outlet covers and plates are easy to put in and take out for adults, but not children. Make sure that they aren't too brittle as they could wear out over time and break. Also use care in removing them yourself from an outlet; you don't want to have one of the prongs break off in the outlet!
#8. Blind Cord Shorteners or Blind Cleats: Over the last few years, the number of children that have died or been injured is well over 1000, with even more that were not reported. Blind cord shorteners of any kind can save your child and even your pet from being strangled. Don't be fooled by a manufacture's claim that their blinds are safe; invest in any one of a variety of blind cord shorteners to make sure your child is truly safe.
#9. Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Especially if you heat your home with gas or heating oil, you should have a CO detector on each level of your home. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that can impair your thinking in small doses, and can kill if in larger doses such as when your furnace malfunctions. Other CO hazards are space heaters, blocked chimneys, and a car left running in a garage. CO detectors aren't expensive, and since you are unable to smell carbon monoxide, what better way to protect your family.
#10. Smoke Detectors: You should have a smoke detector on every level of your home, including the basement and garage before you have a baby, but if you don't, get them now! New homes are required by law to have smoke detectors in them before they can be sold, but older homes do not have the same requirements. There are units on the market that combine smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in one unit. Make sure to replace the batteries every year, or opt for 10 year batteries. And if you need added incentive, your homeowners insurance will be reduced with the installation of smoke detectors.
None of the above safety products are expensive. While some of these safety products are meant to keep just your young child safe from harm, some will also keep your whole family safer. And truly, what wouldn't we all be willing to spend to make sure that the most precious thing in our lives, our family, is safe at home?
Erin K Kennedy has been writing articles and publishing editorials for over 3 years covering a number of popular topics about life in general and her day-to-day experiences. Her interests have recently involved redecorating her home office. To start with, she needed to start by looking at home office desks and other office furniture. Wow! There are a lot of styles from which to choose. If you want to learn more about this too, just pay a visit her newest website at http://www.homeofficedeskshop.com for more information.
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