Children Reach Injury Home Stored Pieces Wall Hazard

Babies and young children are "naturally" (something that is common among all people, not taught) "inquisitive" (curious; wanting to know more), but once they "become mobile" (learn how to crawl or walk), their efforts to explore their environment can "lead to" (result in) accidents and injuries. Experts on "child-rearing" (how to raise children) have many suggestions for how parents and other "caregivers" (people who take care of children) should "childproof their home" (make a home safer for children).

All "hazardous" (capable of causing injury or death) materials, such as cleaning supplies, should be stored "out of reach" (where someone cannot reach it) of children and/or in a cabinet with a "safety latch" (a device that makes it difficult or impossible for a child to open). Bookcases and other pieces of large, heavy furniture should be "secured" (fastened; attached) to a wall so that they cannot "topple over" (fall over) if the child tries to climb up the front to reach something on a higher shelf or in a top drawer.

"Outlets" (small holes in the wall that provide electricity to appliances) should be covered so that children cannot put their fingers or other small objects into the holes. The "cords" (strings or ropes) of "blinds" (a window covering made of many pieces of long, flat wood or plastic) present a "choking hazard" (something that could get wrapped around one's neck and cause death), so they should be hung up high, out of reach of children. Plastic bags should also be stored out of reach, because they are a "suffocation hazard" (something that could cover one's face and not allow the person to breathe).

Many products are sold for these and other types of childproofing, and some people "turn to" (ask for help from) consultants to childproof their home.