Child safety in the home is of utmost importance, so let us child proof our homes for our children.

A good place to start is with our medicines. Keep all medicines, prescribed and unprescribed, in a locked medicine cabinet. Throw out old medicines, but not where children can find them. DO NOT tell children that medicines taste like candies, as this may arouse their curiosity and interest into finding and taking any medicine. This may not be in your home - if you are extra careful, but anywhere else they may go, where others may not be so careful. Medications that need to be refrigerated should be kept in a locked refrigerator. You may want to invest in a small lockable refrigerator for this purpose, so as to avoid the inconvenience of getting out a key each time you need to get everyday stuff from the fridge. Anything to keep your child or children safe, is well worth the extra effort and cost.

Cleaning products, such as bleach and drain cleaners should be stored in a far reaching top shelf, or preferably a locked cabinet. Most cleaning products contain ammonia and other hazards which can be detrimental if swallowed or even inhaled. For this same reason, cosmetics should be kept way out of childrens' reach.

Small children should be kept out of the kitchen area when cooking. A play area may be designated in a nearby room, and made visible from kitchen, through a child safe gate, for example. When cooking, keep pot handles in and away from the stove's edge. This will prevent pot and content from falling, which may result in injury. Keep knives and sharp cooking utensils in a secure drawer. Wrap dangerous refuse, like razor blades, or broken glass, in thick newspaper before throwing away.

Keeping sewing and knitting needles, and materials out of childrens' reach. Removing table cloths from tables, may be a good idea, as small children may pull at them, causing the contents to fall on them. Old freezers or refrigerators that are not useful, should be disposed of, or at least remove the doors, as children may use them as hiding places, become trapped inside, and suffocate. Also, cover all plugs with safety covers when not in use, and keep electrical cords away from children. You may want to move a heavy furniture in front of them.

Never leave a small child in the bath alone; a child can drown in two or three inches of water. If your doorbell or telephone rings, take your child with you, or ignore the call. If older children sleep in bunk beds, be sure that the top bed has a guard rail. Install heater covers, fireplace covers, and window guards throughout your home, as needed. Prevent unnecessary burns and falls.

In addition to securing a playroom, make sure all toys are inspected carefully for small detachable parts, and for sharp edges. Also, be careful that a younger child does not get hold of a toy designed for an older child; for example a marble or a small piece of a toy construction set. Install safety bars at the top and bottom of stairways, and install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors throughout your home.

Last, but not least, be extremely careful in your selection of people you entrust with your children. Children who are not yet speaking, or cannot speak clearly, are most vulnerable to abuse; but all children are at risk, as they are innocent and unaware. If you have to leave someone in your home with your children, which we often do, be sure to have cameras installed. Even if they are your relatives, anything can happen. It is so much harder to leave our kids at caretakers homes, where we have no idea what goes on while we are away. However, if you have to, do your homework. This includes, but is not limited to, running background checks, and checking all references.

DO NOT leave your children in the supervision of anyone, without having an idea, by using cameras, of what goes on when you are not there. When leaving them outside your home, be sure to do a thorough background check. We owe it to our children to keep them safe.

These are just a few basic caution, and are by no means exhaustive, so be sure to examine and design your home safety measures, as is necessary for you and your household.

The more secure a person feels, the more likely he or she is to be mentally healthy. Children need affection, support, understanding of their problems and fears, and a sense of security in the home. Children need at least one adult on whom they feel they can rely to provide them with everything they need, including a safe and secure home.

Of course, no matter how careful you are in child proofing your home, it is important to supervise your children at all times, as accidents can happen, and it takes only a few seconds for one to occur. Let us make it our priority to child proof our homes, carefully supervise our children, and do everything possible to protect them.They are our future and their safety is our responsibility.