Safety Essentials That Will Help Parents and Grandparents Make Their Homes Toddler Friendly 

(ARA) – There are all sorts of hazards to children in a typical home. According to the National Safety Council, 51,500 deaths occurred in the home or community last year -- an even larger number than those killed in automobile accidents. Many of these deaths claim children yet are easily preventable. Baby proofing your home against hidden danger is one way to help reduce child-related accidents, and the results can be invaluable. 

The Right Start, a leading retailer of baby goods, wants to help parents give their babies a safe start by offering tips and gift ideas to make a home toddler-friendly. Essential things for parents to remember are: 

1. The bedroom should be comfortable and functional, but many unassuming items can cause harm if left unattended. 

Everyone, including babies and toddlers, love looking out windows to see the outside world, but you should never place your baby’s crib or other furniture near window blinds or curtain cords. These items can accidentally get wrapped around your child, possibly causing harm. Using Blind Cord Wind Ups ensures that all cords are kept out of reach of children and furniture, protecting them during sleep or play. 

Always put your baby to sleep on her back or side in a crib with a firm, flat mattress and no soft bedding underneath. This prevents your baby from becoming tangled in sheets and blankets. Using items like Stay Put Crib Sheet Suspenders prevents sheets from slipping off of mattresses during a restless night. 

2. Meals contain their own set of rules and cautions, but the kitchen itself is one of the most dangerous rooms in the house when you consider common obstacles like furniture, cabinets and the stove. 

Never leave your child alone in a high chair and always secure them with safety straps. This will prevent your baby from leaning too far forward in the chair, causing it to tip. 

Aside from food, babies and toddlers love to put things in their mouths. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 900,000 people are exposed to poison every year, and more than half of these cases involve children. That’s why you should always lock household cleaning products, as well as knives, matches and plastic bags away from children. The easiest way to prevent children from getting into these items is with Tot-Loks. These locks install easily inside cabinets and drawers where you can't see them. They automatically lock when a drawer or door is closed and only unlock when you place a magnetic "key" against the outer surface. This keeps children safe from household items that can cause harm and also prevents little fingers from becoming trapped in closing doors. 

Curious kids also like to discover new sensations, including heat. An easy way to prevent curious children from turning on stove burners is with Stove Knob Covers. These covers deter children from turning on the stove, while the hinged lid allows parents convenient access to stove knobs, without removing the covers. 

3. The living room is where most families spend the majority of their time, but it has its own set of hazards that need to be avoided. 

Glass and wood furniture gives a stylish look to any room, but sharp edges and corners can easily cause a toddler harm in a fall. Protect your child from sharp corners and edges by adding Toddler Guards to your furniture. These thick, non-toxic, flame-retardant and elasticized cushions surround your furniture, offering protection from falls. 

While falling down is not uncommon, some falls can be more serious than others -- especially if stairs are involved. Blocking off stairways and other rooms using the Safe way Gate not only prevents falls, but it stops curious toddlers from exploring rooms that they shouldn’t enter. 

4. Forgetting to put the toilet seat down isn’t just an inconvenience; it can also lead to an accident in the bathroom. 

Most parents know that they should never leave babies unattended near water, but most parents don’t think about the toilet. Items like the Kidco Toilet Lock keep curious little ones safe and prevent expensive plumbing bills by locking the toilet seat in place. The lock even automatically resets when the lid is lowered, making sure that the toilet seat stays down ... if it’s closed. 

Keeping your children safe is a full-time job, but using safety gear, including these and other items found at your local Right Start store, takes some of the pressure off of mom and dad. For additional information on other safety essentials and for information on the Right Start closest to you, please visit www.rightstart.com. 

Courtesy of ARA Content