Most parents take common-sense steps to childproof their homes, such as covering plug sockets and keeping cleaning products out of reach. But some areas can still present health hazards for kids.
A poll by PEMCO found that while roughly half of parents were putting a gate at the top of staircases to prevent a tumble, 10% fewer were placing them at the bottom of the stairs to block access and stop small children climbing up the stairs.
A 2012 US government study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that the leading causes of death among young people included burns, drowning, falls, and poisoning.
The CDC and Consumer Product Safety Commission found that drowning was the leading cause of unintentional death among children aged one to four.
It has these suggestions to keep the home safe for young children:
Install a toilet seat lock
Remove furniture with sharp corners, or cover corners with padding
Secure cupboards with childproof locks
Keep low-hanging window-blind cords beyond kids' reach
Cover electrical outlets
Set hot water heaters to no more than 120 degrees
Store chemicals and harmful cleaners out of reach
Do not leave young children unattended while they're in bathtubs, on toilets, near water buckets, or in swimming pools – even shallow inflatable pools
Secure bookshelves and cabinets to walls
