Start Childproofing Before Baby Arrives

Anyone who has kids knows protecting them from household dangers is a must, but you may not be sure where or when to start.

On The Early Show Monday, Parenting magazine Senior Editor Josh Lerman offered guidance.

He told co-anchor Hannah Storm that childproofing could begin before your baby is born.

Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, which your should have anyway, are good places to start.

Be sure any fire extinguisher you buy is rated for grease fires. Remember that you should use your extinguisher only for a small, contained fire; for one that's larger or spreading, evacuate and call the fire department. A fire extinguisher you might try is the Tundra Fire Suppressant ($20, firstalert.com), a compact, point-and-spray extinguisher in a can similar to aerosols you're familiar with.

Turn down the water heater so the temperature is no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. At 140 degrees, a baby can get a serious burn in 5 seconds; at 130 degrees, it could happen in 30 seconds. If your water heater just reads "warm" and "hot," turn it to warm, run the tap for a few seconds, fill a glass, and test the temperature with a meat thermometer; adjust until it's about 120 degrees. And, when bathing your baby, test the water temperature with your elbow, which is more sensitive than your hand.

Inspect your smoke detectors. Replace batteries every six months. There should be a smoke detector outside each bedroom, and one on each level of your home. You should also install a carbon monoxide detector outside the bedrooms, and near the kitchen. A smoke detector to consider is the Vocal Smoke Alarm ($30, signalonesafety.com). You can record a message, which alternates with a siren. Research shows Mom's voice is more effective than traditional alarms.

KITCHEN

Get in the habit of putting the baby in a safe spot when you're cooking. An infant in a bouncy seat or car-seat carrier on the floor or, once she can hold her head up, in a high chair or a play center, is much safer than one on the loose in the kitchen. Scalding is just one big danger; you might trip over him as you take a boiling pot off the stove. Another danger: fat splashing out of a pan onto baby below.

Practice safe cooking. Turn pot handles toward the rear of the stove; cook on back burners whenever possible.

Move all cleaning supplies into adult-height cabinets. Never store household chemicals in containers originally used for food or beverages.

Install safety latches on cabinets and drawers, especially on those that contain knives, sharp objects, prescription medication and dangerous cleansers, such as bleach or toilet bowl cleaners. One product to think about it the Adhesive Mount Magnet Lock Starter Set ($16, kidco.com). You'll be able to get into cabinets and drawers in a cinch with the magnetic key, but your child won't. No tools are necessary for installation.

If you use tablecloths or place mats, be extra vigilant: Your child can tug on them and inadvertently pull off any heavy dishes or hot liquids resting on top.

BATHROOM

Move razors, medications — including nonprescription ones — and cleaning supplies, to an out-of-reach cabinet. And don't discard any bottles with remnants of cleaning supplies in the trash can, where kids can find them. Instead, flush the down the toilet, or pour them down the drain.

BEDROOM/LIVING ROOM

Install safety gates at the bottom and top of stairs and in front of areas that haven't been childproofed, or at entrances to rooms you might want to keep kids out of, such as the kitchen while you're cooking.

For the top of stairs, look for gates that screw to the wall, rather than using pressure gates. New gates that meet safety standards display a certification seal from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. You might want to try the Hands-Free Gate ($68, learningcurve.com), a moms' favorite because you can open the door with a foot pedal.

Secure wires and cords so lamps, TVs, etc., can't be pulled down. Screw dressers and bookshelves to the wall, or buy specially designed straps to attach them to walls, so eager climbers can't tip them over. And don't forget to cover all of your electrical outlets. A potential help here is the XL Cable Organizer ($15, containerstore.com). Keep cords under wraps, and away from your child's tugging hands. This large plastic wrangler can hold several thick cables.

Keep him out of rooms that present potential safety hazards, such as the bathroom. The floor's slippery, the surfaces are hard, and there's that endlessly fascinating toilet — a drowning hazard. A door latch, lock, or knob cover will do the trick. Something you might buy for this is Safety 1st Clear Grip Door Knob Covers ($3 for a pair, this article in the current issue of Parenting.