When a child turns 4 months of age, parents should begin the process of childproofing their home. It can take a while, so start early. Go room-to-room, and make a list of
potential hazards that need to be secured.
Outlets - Individual outlet plugs are the standard, but are cumbersome for high-use outlets. There are plastic faceplates that can replace the existing faceplate on an outlet that have a spring-loaded trap door to close over the outlet. Once you remove a plug the door closes automatically. While more expensive, they are helpful for the high use outlets in a given room.
Gates - Install gates at the top and bottom of stairs, preferably ones that are easy to open one-handed. If you have energetic large dogs, buy the gates that can be drilled into moldings for a more secure gate.
Furniture - Secure any unstable furniture to the wall in their rooms or in main areas.Adventurous toddlers love to climb!
Cabinets - Secure cabinets with either levers or magnetic latches. Levers are easier to install, but magnetic latches are more secure and more expensive. Leave one open drawer or cabinet for your child’s “cooking tools”
Kitchen - Remember to cook on the back burners, and turn pot handles away from the edge. Use caution with any hot liquids or beverages, as children are quick to grab cups. Keep knives and cutting boards away from countertop edges, since these can also be
pulled down by children easily.
Cords - Try to secure power cords behind furniture, in cord guides out of their reach.
Smoke Detectors - Make sure you have functioning smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on all levels of your house.
If there is a difficult area to secure, One Step Ahead sells almost any baby-proofing item you might need. (www.onestepahead.com)