What You Need to Know About Childproofing Your Home

About 2.3 million children are accidentally injured every year and more than 2,500 are killed, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although you may occasionally toss and turn at night worrying about your child being kidnapped by a stranger, the more likely harm for children ages 1 to 4 comes from fire, burns, drowning, or falls. Although you can’t realistically control everything your child comes into contact with in the outside world, you have infinitely more control over their home environment. So whether you’re expecting your first child or are moving into a new house this spring with a small child in tow, with some forethought and planning you can make their home a safe, child-friendly environment. Did you know lead paint exists in houses built as recently as the 1970s? A big potential safety hazard in homes is peeling or cracking paint, especially in older construction. As reported in USA Today, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, “most U.S. homes were built before 1978, when lead paint was banned, and half of those — about 38 million — contain lead.” If you are moving into a new house that was built before 1978, or if your child frequently visits other homes where lead paint may be present, experts advise that you get your child tested for lead poisoning—a test that most insurance companies will cover. “Young children are most at risk, because 95% of brain development occurs before the age of 6,” Ruth Ann Norton, executive director of the Baltimore-based Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, an advocacy group, told USA Today. If you notice chipping, peeling or flaking paint, particularly on kid-accessible surfaces like windowsills, get educated on doing repairs, which includes laying plastic and protective coverings around doors and windows and wet scraping the areas before you repaint (though you may be tempted to dry scrape the flaking paint, resist this urge! It will make the problem worse by scattering lead dust into the air.) Alternatively, consider hiring a certified contractor to do the job. When decorating a new home, pay attention to securely mounting your framed art and wall mirrors. Children love to run and jump, so it’s important that area rugs have anti-slip pads underneath to avoid tumbles. Speaking of floors, check that there aren’t any loose floorboards, exposed nails or tacks, and of course, minimize any clutter on the floor that might cause a child to trip. Doors and windows Children will gravitate toward doors and can easily pinch their fingers when opening and closing them. There are finger-pinch guards you can install on doors to prevent this from happening. Also be sure to keep front and back doors locked so your younger child doesn’t wander outside without your supervision. Clear glass doors can create a hazard for toddlers who may mistake them for an open door. Applying a colorful decal to your glass doors will solve this problem. Also make sure to install childproof locks on your sliding doors. Hanging cords on blinds are a temptation to kids, so tie them back so they’re out of reach of small hands. Common household objects that can cause harm Obvious products to keep out of the reach of young children include cleaning products, pesticides, and medicine. But even small objects that you might not think about can be harmful or even lethal to kids. These include coins, cuticle scissors and nail clippers, tweezers, sewing needles, loose keys, and button batteries like those found in musical greeting cards, watches, small toys and electronic gadgets. According to Rathna Amarnath, MD, a Pediatric Gastroenterologist at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, “Miniature batteries may cause poisoning if swallowed and also can cause internal burns if they become lodged in the esophagus or intestinal tract. These batteries contain corrosive alkali and may contain life-threatening quantities of mercury.” The bottom line—if it’s small and within a child’s reach it could cause injury, including accidental ingestion through the mouth or nose. All appliances should be unplugged when not in use, with the electrical cords kept hidden and out of reach of children. Open flames should also be avoided, including candles and fireplaces that are not contained behind a secure screen. Consider a Professional Childproofer If you are pressed for time or you just want to make sure you’ve covered all your bases, consider hiring a certified professional childproofer to recommend and install safety gadgets throughout your home. Check the websites Angie’s List or HomeAdvisor for recommendations on local childproofing professionals in your area.