Health Tip: Babyproofing the House
Help keep your child safe
(HealthDay News) – Accidents and injuries can happen all over the house, but a few babyproofing measures can help keep your young child safe.
The American Academy of Family Physicians offers these suggestions to help prevent accidents:
* Make sure there are no cords in baby's bedroom that could become wrapped around the neck.
* In the kitchen, make sure your child can't reach hot drinks, foods or pots and pans on the stove. Also, keep sharp objects and appliance cords out of your child's reach.
* Keep all medicines, cleaning solutions and other potentially dangerous substances locked away and out of a child's reach.
* Make sure your water heater is set at no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent burns.
* Make sure toys are safe for your child's age -- including no sharp edges or strangulation hazards -- and that your young child can't reach toys for older children.
* Keep all houseplants where your young child can't reach them.
* Use baby gates to protect your child from dangerous areas, such as stairs.
* Put guards on windows, make sure the windows have screens, and don't place furniture on which children can climb near windows.