Children have a natural instinct to explore. Very young children do not know or even understand the concepts of safety, danger, or poison. To minimize the possibility of harm or an accident occurring to your children, make the environment of your home safe. Take action to childproof your home. Follow these guidelines.

Remove dangerous objects and substances:
* Move electrical cords, cords to blinds or draperies, or dangling strings out of reach. Cover electrical outlets.
* Repair plaster walls and remove peeling or chipped paint.
* Store unstable furnishings or structures that could topple over. Secure or remove knobs on furniture and cabinets that could be swallowed or cause choking.
* Store breakable items and those that could cause harm.
* Remove ashtrays and ban smoking inside your house.
* Change any paint that may not be lead free. Test walls, furniture, and the baby's crib.

Add preventative measures:
* Keep office supplies, tools, sewing and knitting items, and kitchen utensils out of reach.
* Lock up all items that could cause poisoning including medicines, vitamins, iron tablets, oral birth control pills, alcohol, and cleaning and industrial agents.
* Keep houseplants and pets out of reach.
* Put up protective grills or barriers around fireplaces, radiators, heaters, stoves, furnaces, space heaters, and fans.
* Keep items out of reach like plastic bags, balloons, batteries, jewelry, small hard foods or candy, mothballs, and cosmetics.
* Attach child-guard latches to drawers refrigerators, freezers and cabinets that are off limits.
* Never leave small electrical appliances plugged in to an outlet.
* Keep the toilet lid closed latched with a child-proof latch and do not leave buckets filled with water.
* Keep the water temperature set between 120 and 125 degrees F.

Be alert and aware of behavior:
* Never leave children alone especially in a tub or around water.
* Never leave a baby alone with a preschooler or pet.
* Always know where your child is and what the child is doing.
* Be sure other family members and caregivers follow your safety rules.

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