There are child safety devices available to contain dangerous cords and baby safety products to close up electrical outlets. In fact, you will find that there is a child safety

product for almost every potential hazard or a product that can be adapted for the purpose at hand.

If you live in an apartment with a balcony, secure the doors to the outside so children can not go outside alone. Remove chairs or stools positioned near windows and secure the windows themselves with child proof latches. Gather up drapery pulls and secure them out of the way, perhaps on special brackets designed to hold the winded cord.

Stairs

Stairs are arguably the most dangerous place in the house. Staircase falls are the leading cause of injuries to children in the home. If the stairs in your house are wooden, be cautious about allowing children unattended on the slick surface. When your children are first learning to walk, consider installing child safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs. Also take a look at the width of the space between the balusters. Children are notorious for getting their heads stuck between the posts. In a home with toddlers, balusters should be no farther apart than four inches.

Bathroom

A small child can drown in as little as an inch of water. Never leave children alone in the tub. Don't run bath water and then make a quick run to the telephone. Adjust the water temperature so that there's no chance of a tragic scalding. Use non-slip strips and appliqués on the floor of the tub and make sure hair dryers, curling irons and other electrical appliances are stored far away from the tub. Finally, look into spout covers to minimize the chance of a child slipping and hitting their head.

Essentially you need to walk through your home and try to look at it with the eyes of a child. Consider what looks tempting and inviting, what you would be curious about if you were seeing it for the first time. Also, observe your children. They are little people with ideas all their own and you may need to tailor your precautions to the level of curiosity your child exhibits. The ready availability of devices like a good child safety gate and other child safety product devices should assure your toddler's safety and your peace of mind.

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