Childproofing Basics Every Parent Must Know

Infants and toddlers are curious by nature and they don't understand their limitations. It's easy for a child to get into real danger around his or her own house.

As parents, it's our job to ensure that our children are able to explore their world safely. Here are some important childproofing basics that every parent or caregiver should know.

1. Install smoke alarms throughout your home including living areas, bedrooms and hallways. You should have at least one smoke detector on each floor. Test them monthly and keep spare batteries on hand.

2. Carbon monoxide detectors should also be installed on every floor and in sleeping areas. Install one close enough to wake you if it goes off during the night.

3. If the alarms ever do go off, confusion can set in. Develop and practice a home fire drill so everyone is prepared for an emergency evacuation.

4. Lock up all medicines and household cleaners. Use childproof locks to secure doors and cabinets that store poisonous products.

5. Use safety straps to secure furniture to walls. Bookshelves and entertainment centers can easily tip over and injure a child who tries to climb it.

6. Install safety gates to keep children away from stairs. When installing a gate at the top of the stairway, use a gate that comes with hardware to mount to the wall. Pressure-mounted gates are more easily dislodged and are not appropriate for stairways.

7. For doors that are usually kept open, stick a foam doorstop along the top of the door to keep children from closing it and crushing their little fingers.

8. Never leave a child unattended in or near water. A young child can drown in just an inch or two of water. Always supervise them during bath time, and install a toilet lock to keep them from falling in and drowning. Pools and jacuzzis should be blocked by a gate with a lock, and even a large bucket used when mopping the floor could be dangerous.

9. Cut the drawstrings on venetian blinds short to eliminate a strangulation hazard.