August 1999

Grandbaby Proofing Your Home

It's probably been years since you have had small children in your home, right? Well, we want to give you a few tips to consider making sure that your home is as safe and secure for little ones as it is for you. Following is a list of things that you can do to ensure their safety while visiting your home.

Electricity

• Cover all electrical outlets that are not in use with safety plugs that snap into outlets.
  (Outlet Covers)
• Check for exposed outlets behind furniture that you may have overlooked.
• Keep your fans out of children's reach.
• Do not use extension cords unless absolutely necessary. (These are also trip hazards if left out in the open.) Also, make sure that the cords are not frayed or contain any exposed wires.

Doors

• Watch those little fingers when you close the door.
• Use doorknob covers on doors that you don't want your grandchildren to open. (exterior doors, bedroom, basement, etc.)
  (Door Knob Covers)

Windows

• Tie up cords to blinds or draperies so that babies can't get entangled in them. Do not place a crib, playpen, highchair or bed anywhere near the cords.
• If your home is over 10 years old, you may not have tempered (safety) glass in your windows and doors that are within 16" from the floor. Consider having safety glass in large windows and French doors so they won't shatter if a child falls into them. A local glass company can do this for you. (Tempered(safety) glass breaks into thousands of little pieces that are not sharp and therefore are not as much of a hazard as regular glass that can break into big jagged pieces.

Halls and Stairways

• Install a safety gate at the top (or bottom) of the stairway.
  (Security Gate)
• Never leave anything on the stairs that you can trip on while carrying your grandbaby.

Fireplaces and Stoves

• Fireplaces can be very dangerous, even when not in use. When in use, if it's a woodburning unit, keep in mind that sparks can pop and come out of the fireplace and onto the floor or babies. When not in use, a hearth can be a hard object to fall against. Consider adding some padding to protect the shard corners and edges.
  (Fireplace Hearth Protector)
• Keep children away from stoves at all times. When in use, keep all handles turned in so that little hands can't reach them , or so that you won't accidentally knock it off on them. Never leave items unattended on the stove for more than a few moments.

Others

• If your grandchildren play out of your direct sight, it is a good idea to keep them within "sound". A baby monitor or an intercom can help you keep tabs on them without having to actually be in the room.
• Be careful when picking up small children. Be sure to bend your knees and use your legs to help prevent back strain.
• Be prepared if a fire should break out. Be sure that all smoke detectors are working.