• Children can injure themselves around the home.Crying Little girl image by Olga Sapegina from Fotolia.com
  
  Many parents consider their homes to be the safest environment for their children. However, threats that can lead to serious injury and death can exist in any home. Some of these threats, such as boiling pots and sharp implements, are apparent, whereas others are less obvious, but equally as dangerous. By following basic safety guidance, you can significantly reduce the risk to your children.
  
  

Safety Gates

• Safety gates allow you to open doors while ensuring your child cannot wander outside and risk harming himself. Gates also keep a child safely within a designated room. Safety gates are often used to restrict access to hazardous areas, such as stairways, the kitchen and the bathroom, which may contain harmful chemicals. Safety gates can be attached to stairways and room entrances by screwing the fixtures to the wall. Some gates stay in place by the use of pressure, but these are not as secure as the affixed types.
  
  

Windows and Curtains

• Cords used on window coverings are a source of possible strangulation for young children. Babies and children shouldn't be left in cribs near windows with cords within easy reach of the child. Blinds are particularly dangerous, because an infant's neck may get trapped within the cords used to move the slats. If your crib must be next to a window, sever the curtain or blind cords, or bunch them and secure them out of reach of your child. Replace cord loops with tassels.
  
  Ensure furniture is kept well away from windows to prevent children climbing on it and accessing the windowsill. Window guards can be screwed into the edges of window frames and adapted to windows of various sizes.
  
  

Poison Prevention

• Toxic chemicals, such as those found in bug sprays, prescription medications and general household cleaning products, should be securely locked in cabinets or drawers. Get rid of old medications or out-of-date cleaning products. It is against the law to dispose of certain products down the toilet, so contact your state waste disposal department for guidance.
  
  Other poisons are harder to detect, but can be fatal to a child. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas produced by faulty household appliances such as ovens and generators. Purchase a carbon monoxide detector for each room, and ensure the batteries are changed regularly.