As parents, it‘s up to us to keep our little ones safe from harm. This isn’t hard to do if we pay attention to their view of the world, and correct any dangerous situations.

See the world from their perspective: Get down on the floor and look around. What do you see? Electric outlets, loose cords, sharp objects, pet food bowls, something that could fall or get pulled down, drawers that open easily and are filled with things a child shouldn’t play with?

Are medicines, dangerous chemicals or substances easily reachable? Put them out of reach -- higher up or behind locked doors. Inventive toddlers can pull out drawers like a staircase to climb up on counters!

Put locks on any drawer or door that contains anything dangerous to a child. Make sure the locks work, and aren’t just something a child can easily circumvent.

Post the Poison Control phone number near your phones. Even better, when your child is old enough to use a telephone, teach the child to use your speed-dial feature. Create a picture-poster of phone numbers they can call using pictures of neighbors who can help, parents’ office numbers or cell phones, emergency, 911 and so on. Post it next to the phone at the child’s eye level.

Does your home have the required GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) installed in all bathrooms, kitchen and outdoor outlets? If not, they are easy to install. GFCIs prevent life-threatening shocks when properly installed.

Cover up hot tubs and pools, or anything else that could drown a toddler. Put the toilet lid down, empty buckets of standing water—you get the idea.

Getting to Emergency Planning

Have fire extinguishers in every room, ready to use. While your child won’t be able to use them, you can in an emergency. You won’t have to waste time looking for one.

Are the windows in a child’s room easy to open for an escape route in an emergency? If not, do something about it. Oil or grease the slides, fix the operating joints.

Have a plan to escape your home. Fire isn’t the only emergency. Lately, it’s been mudslides and flooding as well.

These safety concerns are often elevated around the holidays. Take precautionary measures to protect your children – as well as any family and friends visiting during the holiday season!