childproofing

When was the last time you crawled around your home on your hands and knees? As strange as it sounds, give it a go. Kids explore their everyday environments, so it's crucial to check things out from their perspective to make sure your home is safe.

And though we often think of babies and toddlers when we hear the words "babyproofing" or "childproofing," unintentional injury is the leading cause of death in kids 14 years old and under, with more than a third of these injuries happening at home.

Household injuries are one of the top reasons kids under age 3 visit the ER, and nearly 70% of the children who die from unintentional injuries at home are 4 years old and under. Young kids have the highest risk of being injured at home because that's where they spend most of their time.

Supervision is the best way to prevent injuries, in the home and out, but even the most watchful parents can't keep kids completely out of harm's way every second of the day.

Here are some simple ways to help prevent injuries in your own home

Safety measures to childproof your home for every room:

• Install child-resistant covers on all electrical outlets.
• Keep dangerous chemicals out of children's reach. For strings and ribbons, follow the six-inch rule.
• Always use a safety belt on your baby when she is sitting in a bouncy seat or a swing.
• Shorten curtain and blind cords.
• Place furniture well away from windows.
• Use corner bumpers on furniture and fireplace-hearth edges.
• Place houseplants out of children's reach.
• Know the names of all plants in case a child eats one of them.
• Keep cigarettes, matches, and lighters out of children's reach.
• Safeguard heating and gas systems against accidents. Be sure that furnaces, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, space heaters, and gas appliances are vented properly.
• Place screened barriers around fireplaces, radiators, and portable space heaters.
• Install carbon-monoxide (CO) alarms outside bedrooms to help prevent CO poisoning.
• Install smoke alarms outside each bedroom and on every level of your home.
• Remove the plastic end caps on doorstops or replace the stops with a one-piece design to prevent choking.
• Consider placing plastic guards along the hinge side of frequently used interior doors to prevent the doors from pinching fingers.
• Safety-proof windows and fire exits.
• Make a fire evacuation plan and practice fire escape routes at least twice a year.
• Keep firearms and ammunition safely locked away.
• Secure unsteady furnishings.
• Avoid household water hazards.
• Test homes built before 1978 for lead paint.
• Learn first aid and CPR.

Child proof your kids' rooms:

• Position your child's crib away from all drapery, electrical cords, and windows. Make sure the crib meets national safety standards.
• Make sure the mattress fits snugly.
• Be sure the crib sheet fits snugly.
• If you use a crib bumper, make sure it's firm (not fluffy) and secured tightly with at least six ties.
• Remove mobiles and other hanging toys from the crib as soon as your child can reach up and touch them.
• Place infants under one year on their backs to sleep.
• Never use an electric blanket in the bed or crib of a small child or infant.
• Place night-lights at least three feet away from the crib, bedding, and draperies to prevent fires.
• Always use a safety belt on your infant when you have her on a changing table, and never leave her unattended.
• Provide padding for falls.
• Check age labels for appropriate toys. Be vigilant about choking hazards.
• Use side railings for children just getting used to "big kid" beds. If bedrooms are on second or third stories, be sure to have a fire-escape ladder in each room.