"Better safe than sorry" is the way to think when trying to make you're home a safer place for your baby. Never underestimate what a child can do. As your child grows, the potential hazards throughout your house also grow. The best way to determine what could be dangerous for your child is to look at things through a child's point of view, literally!

Start by exploring your home from the ground up. Remember, your child lives most at ground level. Start by getting sown on your hands and knees at the same level as your child. All of a sudden, things we tend to take for granted seem to become dangerous. Watch your head on that coffee table corner! Never thought of that one, huh? You are now face to face with some of the most dangerous items in your house: electrical sockets. Those plug sockets seem to be just the right size for tiny little fingers.

Following, you will find a room-by-room checklist that will help you to make your home safer for baby. For all your needs to improve your household safety, visit our sponsor babygear.com: No Tax, brand names, lowest prices and a one year unconditional money back guarantee.

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• Use safety locks on all windows.
• Use socket guards for all unused sockets.
• Install smoke detectors in all sleeping areas (this is a mandatory code in all new construction).
• Install a Carbon Monoxide detector.
• Keep window blind cords and curtains short enough to be out of a child's reach
• Set hot water tank temperature to the minimal level.
• Keep all phone numbers within easy reach (physician, hospital, ambulance, Poison Control Center).
• Purchase a child first aid kit. Many remedies that come with a standard first aid cannot be used on children.
• Enroll in a child CPR course. In any case, always remember to call for emergency help!

• Do not let children near the stove while you're cooking
• Do not seat baby on the counter while you're cooking or washing dishes.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove top so that your toddler cannot grab them.
• Keep all cleaning agents locked up.
• Secure all appliances (ovens, dishwashers, refrigerator) with a safety strap or latch.
• Keep sharp and potentially dangerous objects out of reach.
• Install cabinet and drawer latches/locks. Even harmless items can be dangerous to children.
• Do not seat your baby on a counter where she can reach sharp objects or hot items.
• Use stove top guards so that your children cannot touch the stove burners.

• Keep toilet lid and tank lid secured with a latch. An open toilet bowl presents a potential drowning hazard.
• Install scald guard faucets to prevent children from becoming accidentally scalded.
• Use a certified infant bathtub until the baby is able to sit up.
• Use non-skid mats in the tub to prevent slipping.
• Do not leave water in a tub when it is not in use. It only takes 2 – 3" to drown.
• Keep all medications in childproof containers.
• Lock up all medications in a medicine cabinet.
• Keep all cleaners and air fresheners out of baby's reach.

• Do not place locks on a child's door. This will prevent a child from accidentally getting locked in a room.
• Attach one-piece, screw-in door stoppers to prevent toddlers from getting pinched by a closing door.
• Check the lids of toy boxes. Avoid lids that could accidentally close down and pinch a child's fingers or trap the child's head.
• Put up a fire rescue decal that will indicate the location of the child's room to the firemen.
• Use a nightlight socket cover.