Childproofing prevents the most common household injuries to young children. As kids start moving and climbing, a safety pass through the home catches hazards before they become accidents.
Anchor furniture and TVs
Tip-overs are a leading cause of child injury. Anchor dressers, bookshelves, and TVs to the wall with anti-tip straps or brackets — climbing toddlers pull them over. This is one of the highest-impact steps.
Secure hazards
Lock away medicines, cleaning products, and sharp objects up high or behind childproof latches. Cover unused outlets, secure or cut cord loops on blinds (a strangulation risk), use safety gates at stairs, and keep small objects and button batteries out of reach.
Mind water and the kitchen
Never leave a child unattended near water, including bathtubs and buckets. In the kitchen, turn pot handles inward, keep hot drinks back from edges, and use stove knob covers. Set the water heater to a safe temperature to prevent scald burns.