• Around the house: Get down to your child’s eye level to look for any potential hazards around your home. Think defensively; there is nothing like an accident to complicate your life. 

1. Cut window blind cords or use safety tassels and inner cord stops so children can’t get tangled.

2. Place covers over unused outlets. Sliding covers are best; the push-in ones can be pulled out and become choking hazards.

3. Put up safety gates in front of any stairs in the house.

4. Use door stops and door holders to keep small fingers from being crushed or pinched in doors and door hinges.

5. Use cordless phones. Children can get tangled in phone cords. You can keep an eye on the kids easier since you can move around the house and outside more freely.

6. Install corners and edge bumpers to help prevent injuries from falling against sharp and hard edges.

7. Install spring-loaded lid-support device on all chest that store toys. The device helps to keep the lid from falling on a child’s neck or from closing and trapping a child playing inside the chest. This device costs about $ 8.

8. Use anchors to avoid furniture and appliance tip over. 

• In the bedroom: Safety in the nursery is a more subtle consideration than safety in an older child’s room. There are entire books on safety and prevention in the nursery, but here are a few tips.

1. Make sure your child’s crib meets today’s safety standard. Look for a certification safety seal. Crib slats should be no more than 2 3/8″ apart and mattress should be firm, flat, and fit snuggly in the crib. This can prevent strangulation and suffocation related to soft bedding. Keep the crib away from windows if possible.

2. Install window guards.

• In the bathroom: To a child, play land is in the bathroom, with all those cabinets keeping delicious tasting cherry-flavored medicine, yummy smelling soaps and toothpastes; faucets to turn; and water to splash in. Supervise the kids for every moment they are in the bathroom and follow some of these safety tips.

1. Install safety latches and locks on any cabinets and drawers tat contain medicines or any other hazardous items such as razor blades. Place safety guards on toilets to make sure children cannot get in them.

2. Hire a plumber to install an anti-scald device for the faucets and shower heads. Anti-scald devices prevent burns by maintaining a consistent water temperature; range in price from $ 15 to $ 75 not including installation.

• In the kitchen: Children like to explore, and there may be little you can do to suppress the inquisitive nature of your child. Take steps to ensure safety in your own kitchen.

1. Use appliance knob covers to keep kids from turning on stove burners. Buy microwave oven with door locks which can be activated and deactivated via the keypad, so children’s hands don’t get burned on steamed or hot drinks.

2. Install safety latches to drawers containing knives, scissors, sharp utensils, and household cleaners

3. Install a safety cover on the garbage disposal to safeguard little hands.

• Outdoors: Forbidding places can be a gold mine for children; be aware of dangerous places around your home and make sure your home is safe for the kids.

1. Use layers of protection with pools and spas. A five-foot-high fence around its perimeter with self closing and self-latching gates cost about $ 3.50 per linear foot. Make sure that the pool gate has a lock that prevent children from entering alone but can be opened quickly by an adult in case of an emergency.  Install a pool cover and keep water from accumulating on the top of the pool cover; it is a drowning hazard.

2. Enforce a kid-free zone. Keep children away from the outdoor grilling area, shed, or any structure that you keep tools, lawn mower, or pool chemicals, etc.

There is no perfect-childproof home, but you can improve the safety in your home to safeguard your children from harms and accidents. These tips provide reassurance but of course, not a substitute for parental supervision.

Topics include, electrical safety and the use of GFCI outlets and wiring inspection, proper locks for doors and windows, along with basic home inspection and repair for safety and health.

While home safety issues are important for all age groups, it is of increasing importance for the elderly as eye sight and reflexes and not as good when younger.

Most basic inspections for these health and safety issues can be done by the home owner and then they can seek the services of a professional home repair or remodeling company. For advanced inspections, a professional home inspection service should be sought out to provide an in-depth detailed inspection of your house.