Related Sponsors

Introduction to Childproofing

Home » Child Safety » Childproofing your home » Introduction to Childproofing

The home is a dangerous place to young children. Hazardous chemicals, extension cords, broken toys, and stairs are only some of the common household items that newborns and toddlers have not yet learned to avoid. Consequently, each year, home accidents injure or kill more than 2.5 million children in the United States.

Before your baby is born, or at least before he or she becomes mobile (approximately six months of age), you should childproof your home; in other words, make your home a safe place for curious young children. As your children age, they will learn to avoid the dangerous items in the home, and you can gradually de-childproof your home.

As you prepare your home for children, try to think from the perspective of the children. What items will be within their reach? How much strength do they have? Childproofing a home for a three-year old will likely be different than childproofing for a six-month old.

Even after you have childproofed your home, remember that the best form of childproofing for your home is parental supervision. Not only will you be able to protect them from hazardous items, but you will learn the ways in which they think and process, and thus you can even more adequately childproof your home.

Next Page: General Childproofing for Your Home

Related Childproofing your home Articles