CHILDPROOFING YOUR HOME

Childproofing Your Home
10 Safety Methods to Safeguard Your Children
About 2-1/2 million children are hurt or killed by dangers in the residence each year. The good news is that many of these cases could be avoided by using simple child safety devices on the market today. Any safety device you purchase ought to be sturdy enough to avoid injury to your child, yet simple for you to use. It is necessary to follow installation instructions carefully. In addition, if you have older children in your house, make sure they re-secure safety devices. Just remember, too, that no device is entirely childproof; determined youngsters have been known to disable them. You can childproof your home for a fraction of what it would cost to have a professional do it. And safety devices are easy to find. Here are some child protection devices that can help prevent many injuries to children. Home Inspector Katy

1 Use Security Latches and Locks for cupboards and drawers in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas that help avoid poisonings and other accidents. Safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers can help stop youngsters from gaining access to medicines and household cleaners, as well as knives and other sharp objects. Search for security latches and locks that adults can effortlessly mount and use, but are sturdy enough to withstand pulls and tugs from children. Safety latches are not a guarantee of protection, but they can make it more difficult for kids to reach hazardous substances. Even products with child-resistant packaging ought to be stored, out of reach; this packaging is not childproof.
2 Use Security Gates that can help prevent falls down stairs and to keep children away from hazardous areas. Safety gates can help keep children away from stairs or spaces that have hazards in them. Search for security gates that children can not dislodge easily, but that adults can open and close easily. For the top of stairs, gates that screw to the wall surface are more secure than "pressure gates." New security gates that satisfy safety specifications display a certification seal from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). If you have an older safety gate, make sure it doesn't have "V" shapes that are big enough for a child's head and neck to fit into.Home Inspector Katy
3 Use Door Knob Covers and Door Locks to help avoid kids from entering areas and other locations with conceivable hazards. Door knob covers and door locks can help keep kids out of places with risks, including swimming pools. Make sure the door knob cover is strong enough not to crack, but allows a door to be opened quickly by an adult in case of emergency. By restricting accessibility to possibly dangerous rooms in the home, door knob covers could help prevent many type of injuries. To prevent access to swimming pools, door locks should be placed high out of reach of young children. Locks must be used along with fences and door alarms. Sliding glass doors, with locks that need to be re-secured after each use, are often not a reliable barrier to pools.Home Inspector Katy
4 Use Anti-Scald Devices for faucets and shower heads and set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help stop burns from hot water. Anti-scald devices for controling water temp can help avoid burns. Consider using anti-scald devices for faucets and showerheads. A plumbing professional may need to install these. In addition, if you live in your own home, set water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent burns from hot water.
5 Use Smoke Detectors on each level of your home and close to bedrooms to alert you to fires. Smoke alarm are vital safety devices for protection against fire deaths and injuries. Check smoke alarm once a month to make sure they're operating. If detectors are battery-operated, change batteries a minimum of once a year or take into consideration using 10-year batteries.
6 Use Window Guards and Safety Netting to help prevent falls from windows, balconies, decks, and landings. Window guards and safety netting for balconies and decks can help protect against serious falls. Check these safety devices routinely to make sure they are secure and properly installed and maintained. There should be no more than four inches between the bars of the window guard. If you have window guards, be sure at least one window in each room can be easily used for escape in a fire. Window screens are ineffective for preventing children from falling out of windows.
7 Use Corner and Edge Bumpers to help stop injuries from falls against sharp edges of furniture and fireplaces. Corner and edge bumpers may be used with furniture and fireplace hearths to help prevent injuries from falls or to soften falls against sharp or rough edges. Make sure to look for bumpers that stay firmly on furniture or hearth edges.Home Inspector Katy
8 Use Outlet Covers and Outlet Plates to help stop electrocution. Outlet covers and outlet plates can help protect children from electrical shock and possible electrocution. Make sure the outlet guards can not be easily removed by children and are large enough so that children can not choke on them.
9 Use a Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm outside bedrooms to help prevent CO poisoning. A carbon monoxide (CO) detector can help stop CO poisoning. Consumers should install CO detectors near sleeping areas in their homes. Homes that should use CO detectors include those with gas or oil heat or with attached garages.Home Inspector Katy
10 Cut Window Blind Cords; use Safety Tassels and Inner Cord Stops to help prevent children from strangling in blind cord loops. Window blind cord safety tassels on miniblinds and tension devices on vertical blinds and drapery cords can help prevent deaths and injuries from strangulation in the loops of cords. Inner cord stops can help prevent strangulation in the inner cords of window blinds. For older miniblinds, cut the cord loop, remove the buckle, and put safety tassels on each cord. Be sure that older vertical blinds and drapery cords have tension or tie-down devices to hold the cords tight. When buying new miniblinds, verticals, and draperies, ask for safety features to prevent child strangulation.

Choose HomeQuest Inspections PLLC