Babyproofing your house

[ ] Stock your medicine cabinet or first-aid kit

[ ] Install a temperature guard on your water heater at a maximum of 120^o Fahrenheit (48^o Celsius)

[ ] Purchase a fire extinguisher, learn how to use it (and know where it is!)

[ ] Post emergency numbers next to every phone and also on walls of refrigerator facing you.

[ ] Put non-slip pads under all rugs

[ ] Cover all sharp furniture edges and corners with bumpers or safety padding

[ ] Block all open outlets with furniture or use safety plugs

[ ] Latch closed any drawers, doors or cupboards within baby's reach

[ ] Cut any looped blind or curtain cords and install safety tassels and cord stops

[ ] Always unplug and store electric appliances not in use (iron, hairdryer etc)

[ ] Check house and yard for poisonous plants, and move out of baby's reach

[ ] Always store your own and visitors' purses out of baby's reach

[ ] Place baby wipes and supplies within your reach from the changing table, but out of baby's

[ ] Position the crib away from windows, heaters, lamps, wall decoration and cords

[ ] If the sun is strong in your area, put hanging shades on the side and back windows to block the rays

[ ] Slide the child locking facility on your back doors. Make sure every time, the window buttons can be locked from the driver door.

[ ] If you plan to use a car seat, install it in the middle of the back seat

[ ] Move all dangerous items (cleaners, knives, heavy objects, medications, etc) to cupboards and drawers out of baby's reach

[ ] Latch closed any cupboards, doors and drawers within baby's reach to avoid pinched fingers or unaccompanied explorations; purchase baby-safe doorstops for every door to prevent accidental closings

[ ] Put lockable covers on garbage cans, or place in latched cupboards

[ ] Move all electric cords behind furniture or under rugs

[ ] Secure heavy furniture such as bookcases and cabinets to walls to prevent accidental tipping

[ ] Put televisions and other heavy items on sturdy furniture, and move as close to the wall or corner as possible

[ ] Put baby gates or fences at the top and bottom of every set of stairs, no matter how short the flight

[ ] Use garden fences or plexiglass to block any space of more than four inches between stair or balcony rails

[ ] Put colorful stickers on sliding doors and any other large panes of glass

[ ] Install window guards and stops, and put safety bars or netting on all windows, landings and decks

[ ] Place food and water for pets out of baby's reach

[ ] Put a lock on VCR, DVD etc.,

[ ] Never leave any amount of water in an open container or bucket (even in the bathroom)

[ ] Once baby can get up on hands and knees, remove mobiles and anything else hanging above crib

[ ] Move crib away from anything that could be used for climbing

[ ] Place soft covers on the bath spout and knobs

[ ] Put non-slip mats in and beside the bathtub/bath area

[ ] Install safety locks on toilets. Place any kind of detergents, acids, cleansing chemicals and sharp objects out of reach from baby.

[ ] Install safety latches on refrigerator and freezer doors

[ ] Get in the habit of cooking on the back burners, turning pot handles toward the wall, and placing hot food and drinks away from the edges of tables and counters

[ ] Forgo placemats and tablecloths -- if baby yanks, everything on top will go crashing

Once baby starts to crawl, generally around eight or nine months, safety takes on a whole new meaning. Start getting your home ready as soon as baby can sit up and pivot on her/his tummy. Remember, this guide is just a starter. Get down on all fours and crawl around your house to get a baby's-eye view of the many dangerous temptations that lurk.

Keep in mind that anything that fits through a toilet paper tube is a potential choking hazard, and dangerous items can easily get hidden in deep carpets, corners and under cabinets. Regular sweeps should be a priority. Also, check all the safety preparations you made before baby came home, remembering that her/his height and reach are now significantly greater.

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