free baby gates

How To Baby Proof Your Home

Injury is the leading cause of death in children under 14 years old, and over one-third of those injuries occur at home. 70% of children who die from home injuries are under four years old. Your child doesn’t need to be part of that statistic, if you prepare.

Adult Supervision Required

Unfortunately, there are many parents who wish they could just go back and re-claim the two or three minutes they left their child alone and he was seriously injured. Answering the telephone while baby is in the tub, or leaving a crawling baby in a room unattended even for a moment can have disastrous consequences. If you need to attend to other things place your baby in his crib, a playpen or other confined area where he can’t get into trouble.

H20 Hazards

Drowning is all too common with small children. If you have a swimming pool, make sure that it is fenced and has a locked gate at all times. However, children can drown in even a few inches of water. Because children’s heads are often bigger than the rest of their bodies they are pretty “top-heavy.” If they lean over too far, they’re apt to fall into buckets or toilets, lifting their little feet off the ground. Then they’re stuck, and can easily drown. Never leave buckets of water or cleaning solution sitting around, and keep bathroom doors closed. You can purchase an inexpensive toilet lock to keep inquisitive toddlers out of the commode.

Scalds are another typical injury seen at the ER. Make sure to set your water heater no higher than 120 degrees, and never leave a small child or infant in a bathtub unattended. When cooking on the stove, keep pan handles turned to the side so little ones can’t reach up and pull a hot meal down on top of themselves.

Suffocating/Choking Hazards

Babies love to put things in their mouths - it’s one way they learn about their environment. Of course, there are many things that simply don’t belong in baby’s mouth! Make sure he can’t get hold of plastic bags. And latex balloons, whether inflated or not, pose a huge choking hazard.

Small infants should not have pillows or stuffed animals in their crib or anyplace else they sleep.

If you have older children, make sure that they keep small toys and puzzle pieces picked up and out of baby’s reach.

Electricity

Cover all outlets, and make sure any cords to appliances are tucked away. Crawl around on your hands and knees to find all the dangers - your child is sure to find the one outlet you don’t cover!

Secure Heavy Furniture

Heavy armoires or dressers should be secured to the wall, so that a baby pulling himself up to them doesn’t tip them over. You can purchase special straps for this purpose. Televisions should only be placed on top of furniture specially designed to hold them - otherwise there may be a tipping hazard.

Pesticides and Poisons

Install latches on all cabinet doors, and keep pesticides and cleaning products stored up high where baby can’t reach. Medication should also be stored far from children’s curious little fingers.

Keep carpet vacuumed, and hard floors cleaned regularly, and remove shoes upon entering your home. Shoes can track in pesticides and fertilizer, or pet feces.

Keep houseplants away from baby, too. She may be tempted to have a little nibble, and some are poisonous. And the potting soil is never a good dietary supplement!

Enjoy a Gated Community

Install gates on all stairs - a tumble can cause everything from a nasty bump, to death. Infant walkers should never, ever be used in any home with stairs.

Sharp Edges and Hard Spots

Remove or install padding on coffee tables with sharp edges or corners, and baby-proof your fireplace and hearth.

Hand-Me-Down Hazards

Second-hand clothing or toys can be a godsend when trying to save money, but make sure they’re safe for your baby. Clothing shouldn’t have loose buttons or snaps, or strings of any kind. Toys should be free of lead-based paint or loose parts. And crib slats should be no farther than 6.1 cm apart.

With a little planning and a tour of your home on hands and knees, you’ll be ready for baby to go exploring safely!

Step-Over Gate Extension Kit - Natural (Natural) (20″H x 2″W x 22.25″L)

• Color: Natural
• Size: 20″H x 2″W x 22.25″L
• The Step Over Gate may be used as a pressure gate or a free standing gate.
• Available separately, is an extension kit which provides 22-1/4″ of extra length.
• Rubber feet protect floors and the solid wood construction provides beauty and functionality.

The Step Over Gate was designed for small breeds, non jumpers and puppy litters. This safety gate is simple to set up and can be operational in minutes, as a pressure gate or a free standing gate. Rubber feet protect floors and the solid wood construction provides beauty and functionality. Available in natural and medium oak, the natural wood is eco-friendly - no dyes, stains or finishes used. Available separately for each color, is an extension kit which provides 22-1/4″ of extra length. A

List Price: $ 33.95

Price: $ 28.84

Cardinal Gates WG-35-BROWN Wood Gate - Brown

Babyproof stairways or doorways with quality wood child gates that expand and feature a quick safety gate release mechanism to remove from mounts. Cardinal Gates, the manufacturer of quality aluminum, steel and clear child and pet gates, now introduces this rugged wooden gate stained in mahogany. Like the metal safety gates, this wooden safety gate system expands for childproofing narrow or wider doorways, stairs or wide spans. Professional baby proofers prefer Cardinal Gates systems, designed and tested for child safety. Cardinal child safety gates are safe, sturdy, reliable gates. Optional use as dog gates. Features: Rugged, all wood gate. No plastic parts. Fast, easy installation in minimum time: clear, simple instructions. Hardware mounted baby safety gates install securely with a minimum of screws. Wood with mahogany finish. One hand latch operation: simple for adults, puzzles toddlers. Select single or two way gate swing. Quick safety gate release: remove from mounts for special occasions. Slide fit design: adjust baby gate to precise width needed. Optional safety gate installation kits: Banister round or square post clamps (need 2 per post) or wrought iron mounting kits. Wood Gate Model WG-35 Specifications: Maximum doorway and stairway protection for child safety. WG35 width adjustments: Fit 29.5 to 49.5 openings. No extensions available. Suggested mounted height: 30.5 . Actual gate height: 29 (1.5 space from floor). Mount no higher than 3 off floor for toddler safety. (Gate height then is 32 ). Bars are spaced 2.5 inches apart. Vital child safety items for children from 6 months to 2 years. One-handed latch operation for adults. Latch puzzles toddlers. Gate safety bracket allows option of one direction gate swing. Prevents gate from opening over a stairway. Safety gates mount at angles up to 30 degrees. Enables secure stud mounting into drywall. Cardinal Gates child safety gate systems are certified by JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association). Adheres to standards of JPMA and Consumer Products Safety Commission. Use indoors only. Color: Mahogany. Manufacturer’s warranty: 1 year for home use, 90 days for commercial use.
List Price: 109.95
Price: 109.95