As your baby becomes more active, it is important that you make sure your home is safe for him or her to explore. Begin by getting down on the floor and seeing your home from your baby's eye level. Babies like to chew on electrical cords and put their fingers in outlets. Cover or tape down cords and buy covers for outlets. Here are some tips for making dangerous areas in your home safer for your baby.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are extremely dangerous because:

• Babies can topple into the toilet and drown.
• Babies can turn on the hot water faucet in the bathtub and get burned quickly.
• Many items kept in the bathroom, like mouthwash and finger nail polish remover, are poisonous.

You either can make your bathroom safer or you can put a latch high up on the door to keep your baby out.

To childproof the bathroom:

• Keep hazardous items in high places, out of your baby's reach.
• Put a safety latch on the toilet seat.
• Put a safety cover on the faucet handle.
• Turn down the hot water temperature in your home to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water Safety

Even though your child can sit up on his or her own, never leave him or her alone in the bathtub — children can easily drown in a few inches of water.

If you have a swimming pool or hot tub:

• Have a childproof cover in place at all times.
• Make sure there is a fence around the pool or hot tub.
• Keep your door leading to the pool or hot tub closed and locked.
• If you visit a friend with a pool or hot tub, make certain the cover is on and the gate is locked or never let your child out of your sight.
• Remember that even children who have had swimming lessons are never water safe. They must be supervised at all times when around water.

Kitchens

Kitchens have a number of potential safety hazards:

• Hot items on the stove can spill and burn your baby.
• Drawers and dishwashers can have sharp objects like knives and scissors in them.
• Detergents, which are often kept under the sink, are poisonous.

You either can make your kitchen safer or you can put up a gate to keep your baby out of the area.

To childproof the kitchen:

• Place dangerous and poisonous objects up high, out of your baby's reach.
• Always keep dishwasher doors locked shut and don't leave sharp knives inside.
• Put safety latches on drawers and cupboard doors.

Garages and Storage Areas

Garages and other storage areas contain dangerous items, therefore it is important that you:

• Never leave pails around that are filled with water, for babies easily can fall in and drown.
• Put detergents, paints, oils, paint thinner, gasoline and other dangerous products up very high or in locked cabinets.

Other Home Safety Issues

There are a number of things that you can do to make your home safer in the event of an earthquake or other emergency.

• Make sure your water heater is secure.
• Have a fire extinguisher easily accessible.
• Have bottled water on hand — you should have one gallon per person per day to last up to three days.
• Store canned and dry foods.
• Have a battery operated radio and batteries.
• Make sure flashlights are easily accessible and that you have extra batteries.
• Make sure you have a first aid kit.
• Have a crescent wrench that can be used to turn off the gas and water.
• Bolt large furniture to the wall.
• Do not put beds close to objects that could fall and cause injury.
• Have blankets and warm clothes.
• Keep large plastic bags on hand.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated January 20, 2010

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.