Your Home. The Biggest Threat to Your Children. Learn How to Protect Them.

I am that mom who worries too much. At least that's what I've been told. I guess, after years of watching Oprah and the ID channel, I have become quite the nervous wreck. My anxiety gets the best of me at the neighborhood swimming pool, that metal maze of a playground and that stranger-danger infested shopping mall.  Don't even get me started about parking lots! But I, as most people, am overlooking the biggest threat to my children of all. My home. 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 2.3 million children are accidentally injured every year and more than 2,500 are killed in their own homes.

Yeah. One more thing to worry about. 

But, this is one of the easiest threats to prevent. Thanks to tons of innovative products and helpful hints from parents who've experienced these threats first hand. 

Now, let's start child proofing that home of yours. Follow this checklist of childproofing ideas and your home will be safer than a seatbelt!

1. Get on Your Hands and Knees

Those little mini me's of ours are able to find dangerous things at whole different levels than we are. So, in order to discover the threats that they could possibly find, we need to get down to their level. So, start at your front door and just start to crawl. Crawl through your house like you've never crawled before. This will allow you to find all of those dangerous things that are hidden to the adult eye.

2. Lockup the Hazards

I am a true believer in bleach. I will bleach the heck out of a house. But, I'm also an advocate of locking up anything that could be deadly if ingested. I'm talking glue, gas, thumbtacks, you name it. So, check out this list of hazardous items in the average home. It will amaze you what may be a threat to your child. 
http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/factsheets/roombyroom-checklist.htm

3. If They Can Pick It Up, They'll Try to Eat It

As a child, my sister decided to take a pebble and see how far she could shove it up her nose. I will never forget that trip to the emergency room. Classic. Well, in her defense, she was a kid...and, that's what kids do. Some more than others. But, it still can happen. So, the moral of this "I'm glad it was her and not me" story...make sure to check your home for choking/shoving hazards. Cabinet knobs, coins, balloons, in my sister's case....rocks. Here is a more detailed list that may help: http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/choking-hazard-safety 

4. Outlets, Stoves, Blinds and Curling Irons. Oh My!!

When I was in 1st grade, I remember watching a fellow student stick a paperclip in an outlet. It was one of those things that happen in life that we never forget. In this case, besides a few upright hairs, this kid was alright. But, it could've been worse. So, make sure to buy all of those childproofing plastic things and stick in every outlet you can find. Don't forget to crawl around so you can find those hidden under the couch. I love Target...but, I'm sure Walmart and other stores carry all of the child-proofing must haves for your home. Check out this list of some of parents' favorites: 
http://www.parents.com/baby/safety/babyproofing/child-proofing-must-haves/

5. Hire an Expert

Hopefully, parents can use their own common sense in order to keep their children safe. But, it's also nice to know tips from the experts that can help save your sanity. Check out these local childproofing companies that can childproof your home like no other: http://www.atlantamoms.com/HTML/babyproofing.html

As parents, we live to nurture and protect our children. Despite the urge, we can't all live in a padded room. So, the best place to start is our own home. There is nothing better than a safe home. So, check out these sites, make a list, start crawling around and start childproofing that home like it's your job. Or, if you want the professionals to take over, call one. Make it their job. Either way....put "peace of mind" on your to-do list and start childproofing today!