1. Store cleaning products securely.
While all
cleaning products should be off the floor and stored in locked or
out-of-reach cabinets, single-dose laundry detergent packs have proven
to be especially attractive to young children. In 2013, over 10,000 unintentional exposures
were reported to poison control centers. And ingestion is not the only
problem. Even if a child doesn't actually bite into the pack, just
handling it can be enough to make it start to dissolve. Once the
detergent gets on children's hands, it's just one step away from their
mouth and eyes.
2. Eliminate cords on blinds and shades.
Old
window blinds with looped cords or chains, or even new blinds with
shorter but tangled cords can be strangulation hazards for young
children. All brands offer easy-to-install cordless styles.
3. Anchor furniture upright.
Bookcases,
armoires, and entertainment centers easily injure (and could even kill)
climbing children that get trapped underneath if furniture tips over. To
be safe, install drawer latches on all dresser and bureau drawers to
prevent climbing, and attach big pieces directly into wall studs with
anti-tip straps or brackets. Also, never store or place heavy items,
like televisions, on top of cabinets. They can easily topple or be
pulled off.
