Childproofing and Preventing Household Accidents

When was the last time you crawled around your home on your hands and knees? Probably not since you were a young child. As strange as it sounds, it may be time to try it again. Your everyday environment is new and worthy of exploration to young eyes, which is why it's crucial to get down on the floor and see things from your little one's perspective.

And though many people usually think of babies and toddlers when they 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. Home 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 always the best way to prevent injuries, in the home and out. Of course, you can choose to childproof as little or as much as you'd like in your home. Try not to concern yourself too much about every little detail of keeping your kids safe at all times. Even the most watchful parents can't keep children, especially babies and toddlers learning to explore their world, completely out of harm's way every second of the day. But there are some simple steps you can take to help prevent injuries in the comfort of your own home.

What Kinds of Accidents Happen at Home?

The common causes of home-injury deaths are fire and burns, suffocation, drowning, choking, falls, poisoning, and firearms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most home accidents happen where there's:

water - in the bathroom, kitchen, swimming pools, or hot tubs
heat or flames - in the kitchen or at a barbecue grill
toxic substances - under the kitchen sink, in the medicine cabinet, in the garage or garden shed, or even in a purse or other place where medications are stored
potential for a fall - on stairs, slippery floors, or from high windows

You can take precautions to make these places safer, but the most important thing to remember is to watch young children at all times. Even if your home is childproofed, it only takes an instant for babies and toddlers to fall, run over to a hot stove, or put the wrong thing in their mouths. Your watchfulness is your child's best defense.

However, accidents will still happen, so it's important to be prepared. If you're expecting a baby or you already have a child, it's a good idea to:

1. Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the age-appropriate Heimlich Maneuver.

2. Keep the following near the phone (for yourself and caregivers):

poison-control number: 1-800-222-1222
child's doctor's number
parents' work and cell phone numbers
neighbor's or nearby relative's number (if you need someone to watch other children in the event of an emergency)

3. Make a first-aid kit and keep emergency instructions inside.

4. Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Check out these articles for more information:

Reviewed by: Kate Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: December 2007
Originally reviewed by: Barbara P. Homeier, MD