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.

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