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How to Make the House Safe for Toddlers
- 1). Lock up things that only adults should have access to. Lock away all medications and tools. Lock up all household chemicals including cleaning products. If the item is sharp, small, flammable or dangerous when spilled on skin or ingested at any dosage, lock it up.
- 2). Install electrical covers on all electrical outlets and run all electrical cords up off the floor and out of reach of toddlers. Block all exposed electrical outlets when possible with large furniture.
- 3). Purchase window blind roll-up devices for cords on windows blinds and use those devices to mitigate strangulation hazards.
- 4). Use non-slip rugs or affix non-sticking backings on existing rugs to prevent slips and falls.
- 5). Lock all windows and doors leading outside or to your garage so your toddlers cannot open them. You should also install locks on windows that prevent them from opening more than a few inches.
- 6). Install baby gates at the top and bottom of all stairs, and to block the kitchen. Make sure you install baby gates that have not only a latch, but a lock that prevents the toddler from pushing open the gate.
If you can't install a gate for the kitchen, put locks on all cabinets and drawers and make sure you stow everything in those cabinets. - 7). Keep the home free of clutter so that your toddler does not run and trip over things scattered throughout the household. Never leave small objects lying around that your toddler can choke on.
- 8). Screw all heating and air conditioning vents to the floor or wall. Vents are easy for toddlers to pull up with a healthy does of curiosity. Bigger vents leave an area for toddlers to attempt exploration, while smaller and larger vents alike tend to have sharp edges.
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