| Did you know that you can childproof your | | | | 4. Anti-scald devices - use for faucets and |
| home for a fraction of what it would cost to | | | | shower heads and set your water heater |
| have a professional do it? Child safety | | | | temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help |
| devices are available at hardware stores, | | | | prevent burns from hot water. An anti-scald |
| baby equipment shops, supermarkets, drug | | | | device will cost from $6.00 to $30.00 |
| stores, home and linen stores, and through | | | | |
| mail order catalogues. | | | | 5. Smoke detectors - use on every level of |
| | | | your home and near bedrooms to alert you to |
| Here are 10 child safety devices you need to | | | | fires. Smoke detectors are essential safety |
| help prevent injuries to young children. | | | | devices for protection against fire deaths |
| | | | and injuries. |
| 1. Safety latches and locks - use on cabinets | | | | |
| and drawers to help prevent children from | | | | Check smoke detectors once a month to make |
| gaining access to medicines and household | | | | sure they're working. If detectors are |
| cleaners, as well as knives and other sharp | | | | battery-operated, change batteries at least |
| objects. | | | | once a year or consider using 10-year |
| | | | batteries. A smoke detector usually costs |
| Look for safety latches and locks that adults | | | | less than $10.00. |
| can easily install and use, but that are | | | | |
| sturdy enough to withstand pulls and tugs | | | | 6. Window guards and safety netting - use to |
| from children. Safety latches are not a | | | | help prevent falls from windows, balconies, |
| guarantee of protection, but they can make it | | | | decks, and landings. Check these safety |
| more difficult for children to reach | | | | devices frequently to make sure they are |
| dangerous substances. Even products with | | | | secure and properly installed and maintained. |
| child-resistant packaging should be locked | | | | There should be no more than four inches |
| away, out of reach. A safety latch or lock | | | | between the bars of the window guard. |
| usually costs less than $2.00 | | | | |
| | | | If you have window guards, be sure at least |
| 2. Safety gates - use to help prevent falls | | | | one window in each room can be easily used |
| down stairs and keep children away from | | | | for escape in a fire. Window screens are not |
| dangerous areas. Look for safety gates that | | | | effective for preventing children from |
| children can't easily dislodge, but that | | | | falling out of windows. A window guard or |
| adults can open and close without difficulty. | | | | safety netting usually costs from $8.00 to |
| For the top of stairs, gates that screw to | | | | $16.00. |
| the wall are more secure than pressure gates. | | | | |
| | | | 7. Corner and edge bumpers - use to help |
| New safety gates that meet safety standards | | | | prevent injuries from falls against sharp |
| display a certification seal from the | | | | edges of furniture and fireplaces. Be sure to |
| Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association | | | | look for bumpers that stay securely on |
| (JPMA). If you have an older safety gate, be | | | | furniture or hearth edges. A corner and edge |
| sure it doesn't have "V" shapes that are | | | | bumper usually costs $1.00 and up. |
| large enough for a child's head and neck to | | | | |
| fit into. A safety gate will cost from $13.00 | | | | 8. Outlet covers and outlet plates - use to |
| to $40.00 | | | | help protect children from electrical shock |
| | | | and possible electrocution. Be sure the |
| 3. Doorknob covers and door locks - use to | | | | outlet protectors cannot be easily removed by |
| help keep children away from places with | | | | children and are large enough so that |
| hazards, including swimming pools. Be sure | | | | children cannot choke on them. An outlet |
| the doorknob cover is sturdy enough not to | | | | cover usually costs less than $2.00. |
| break, but allows a door to be opened quickly | | | | |
| by an adult in case of emergency. | | | | 9. Carbon monoxide (CO) detector - use |
| | | | outside bedrooms to help prevent CO |
| By restricting access to potentially | | | | poisoning. Install CO detectors near sleeping |
| hazardous rooms in the home, doorknob covers | | | | areas in your home. A carbon monoxide (CO) |
| could help prevent many kinds of injuries. To | | | | detector usually costs from $30.00 to $70.00. |
| prevent access to swimming pools, door locks | | | | |
| should be placed high out of reach of young | | | | 10. Cordless phone - use to make it easier to |
| children. Locks should be used in addition to | | | | continuously watch young children, especially |
| fences and door alarms. Sliding glass doors, | | | | when they're in bathtubs, swimming pools, or |
| with locks that must be re-secured after each | | | | other potentially dangerous areas. A cordless |
| use, are often not an effective barrier to | | | | phone costs $30.00 and up. |
| pools. A doorknob cover usually costs about | | | | |
| $1.00 and a door lock usually costs $5.00 and | | | | You don't need to spend a lot of money to |
| up. | | | | childproof your home. But you do need to do |
| | | | it now. |