Childproof the Home for the New Year

    Start the New Year off right with a safe environment for children.  Parents and caregivers should check their homes at least once a year for basic safety precautions.  It's easy to eliminate the most obvious hazards, without a lot of expensive equipment, and Lexee’s Kids/Lexee Overton Law in Baton Rouge has several recommendations to childproof homes:

   The first step in childproofing a home is to explore every room at a child’s eye level. Literally get down on hands and knees and crawl around.  It is surprising how much can be reached, and how many small objects can be picked up.

   A good rule of thumb is that anything that fits through a toilet paper tube is a potential choking hazard. Of course, cleaning products, alcohol, firearms, matches, lighters and other potentially harmful products need to be stored out of reach and locked up.

Below are some recommendations to help childproof that home

Set water heaters no higher than 120 degrees F. At higher temperatures - it only takes three seconds to burn a child’s skin severely enough to require surgery.  There are items that can be purchased to check water temperature before using the water on a child.
Memorize this phone number: 1-800-222-1222. From anywhere in the U.S., this toll-free number will connect to the Poison Control Center.
Test smoke alarms every month. Make sure there are working smoke alarms in every sleeping area and change the batteries twice a year.  Also check for fire hazards such as, frayed electrical wires or flammable materials near heating appliances.
Install carbon monoxide detectors in every sleeping area and near fuel-burning appliances. Test carbon monoxide detectors once a month and change the batteries twice a year.
Put safety gates at the top and bottom of every stairway. Gates installed with hardware are safer than pressure gates.
Cover unused electrical outlets. Plastic outlet covers are available, or duct tape can be used.  Secure unused outlet covers - they are choking hazards.
Keep firearms unloaded, locked and out of reach. Lock up ammunition in a separate place.
Post emergency numbers by every phone. In addition to the numbers for fire and emergency medical services, keep numbers for the pediatrician and a neighbor handy.
Check first aid kits to make sure they are fully stocked. Make sure babysitters know where to find first aid supplies and how to handle an emergency.
Safety comes first, even if it means making a home a little less pretty and convenient for adults.  Safety gates and cabinet locks are a small price to pay to keep a child out of the emergency room.
  Join hands with Lexlee’s Kids in caring for our children’s safety. Any questions about child safety can be addressed to  Lexlee's Kids at 225-761-7272 or www.lexleeskids.com.