Five Child-Proofing Tips You May Have Overlooked

Most people know to guard electrical outlets and lock up cabinets with chemicals inside, but there might be some extra steps you’ve overlooked. Here are a few common hazards for children found in most homes.

1. Keep venetian blind cords out of reach. Venetian blind cords are a very real choking danger, since they can easily fit around a child’s neck and then pull up once the child’s weight activates the pulley mechanism. Either install a hook to hang them out of reach, or tie them up in a high knot.
2. Anchor high bookcases to the wall. Bookcases can make a tempting climbing obstacle, so in addition to teaching your child not to climb on them, anchor the top of them to the wall. If your bookcase didn’t come with this hardware, it should be sold at any hardware store.
3. Keep computer cables and phone chargers out of reach. If your computer has a USB cable attached with nothing on the open end, that’s a real danger to a child if they put it in their mouth. Same goes for phone chargers, which are often plugged in with nothing attached.
4. Put a traction mat in your bathtub. Some bathtubs can be very slippery, and even the best-behaved child wants to stand up in the bath from time to time. A rubber mat on the bottom can prevent nasty slips.
5. Watch for new corners to pad. Many parents pad hard corners when a baby is just learning to walk, but as your child sprouts up into a toddler, they’ll encounter new corners, such as dining room tables. As your child grows, see what new edges they might bonk into.
6.  CPR Northwest 503-538-2610

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