Small children will always be curious and explore a lot. However, their insatiable appetite for exploring new places and checking out new things often leads them to danger and accidents. And since most of children’s accidents happen at home, it’s best to protect your little ones by following these helpful tips.

Lock up all hazardous objects – Be sure that all harmful products such as cleaning solutions, knives, and power tools among others, are kept away from their reach. Make sure that the items are organized in locked storage cabinets. 

Hide prized possessions – Whether it is an expensive vase or a small ceramic sculpture with sentimental value, store your prized possessions away from their sight and reach. Placing them on high tables won’t do any help since they would most likely shake the table or climb on to it.

Lower you water temperature – See to it that the temperature setting in your water heater must not exceed 48.8°C (120°F). Hot water can burn your child’s skin.

Lock doors in dangerous areas – Avoid having your toddlers go to danger-prone areas such as the basement or storage room by putting sleeves on doorknobs. These are like gloves on your doorknobs that makes turning a little slippery. Make sure to lock the door to be doubly sure, but older children should manage to open them in case of an emergency.

Lock reachable windows – If your child can reach over a window, it is best to lock them. However, make sure that older children could open it in case of emergency.

Discuss emergency procedures to all family members – They should know all emergency escape routes and procedures. Keep escape ladders near the second-story emergency exits. Put emergency numbers on the phone where family members or babysitters can find them.

Install a smoke detector – Fires should be detected early on. Put one on each floor of your house, near the bedrooms, in any stairwell, and in the living and dining area.

Place plug guards on electrical outlets – Guard your child from accidental shock by placing plastic outlet plug guards on unused outlets that children can reach. You can also replace outlet covers with protective covers.

Check crib bar spacing – Make sure that the spacing between crib bars should not be greater than 6 centimeters (2 3/8 inches) to avoid your children from squeezing through the crib bars and probably getting stuck.

Check the products’ safety standards – All of your baby’s and or child’s gears from cribs, toys, helmets, and others, should meet safety standards. Contact your government’s consumer office for more information.

Install baby gates – If needed, you should put up baby gates on doorways, also at the top and bottom of stairways.

Pad sharp edges – If your furniture or kitchen counter has sharp edges, pad them with foam tape or by putting corner protectors. Rugs and loose electrical cords should either be removed or taped down.

Enclose open deck railings – If your stairs do not have bars that would catch your child in case he or she trips to the side, it would be best if you enclose the railings with acrylic sheets. Also, tie some canvas along the baluster to prevent your child to use it as a slide. You can also use welded wire mesh for outdoor stairs.

Fence-in swimming pools – For enclosing a pool, the fence height should be at least 122 to 152 centimeters (4 to 5 feet). Make sure that the fence has a self-closing, self-latching gate.

Check outdoor play equipment – See to it that the outdoor play toys should not have protruding bolts, loose nuts, slippery surface, and other potential dangers.