Household Dangers

Safety Tips

Your home is the most important environment to keep safe.

As a concerned parent, your job is to childproof your home carefully so your baby can safely explore his or her world.

It is a good idea to get down on your hands and knees and look around your home from your baby's perspective. This will help you spot potentially dangerous objects. For example, an ordinary house plant can be poisonous if your curious baby decides to taste a piece. Even toddler toys left lying around by an older sibling should not be in baby's reach.

Most juvenile products have a long life, but should still be safety-checked frequently for missing hardware, loose threads and strings, and for holes and tears.

Always read and follow all manufacturers' instructions. Remember, new products that meet current safety standards are a safer option - and these will always include manufacturers' instructions. Experts also recommend that you don't use second-hand products for baby in the home. However, if it is necessary for you to use these older products, be sure they meet the current safety standards.