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  Thom
Golden RN, BSN ("Dr. Baby Proofer") is America's leading expert
in the field of child and family safety. He is the founder of
the International Association for Child Safety (IACS). A
well-known personality seen on CNN, Fox News, TXCN Cable News,
WFAA-TV, and KRLD radio, Thom
has provided child safety
education throughout the major media, is a specialist in child
safety product installation in the home, and is widely renowned
as a leading authority on car seat safety. Thom has prepared a
basic guide to baby proofing for
readers of MetroplexBaby.com.
BABY PROOFING
BASICS
Why baby proof •
Best time to baby proof
• Where do I start
Top 10 baby proofing basics
• Can I do it myself
Why baby proof?
Did you know that more children die from home-based trauma
than from ALL childhood diseases combined? Baby proofing is
designed to primarily benefit the child by preventing
trauma/death. But baby proofing also benefits the parents
who suffer emotional trauma if their child is injured -
especially when that injury could have been prevented.
Before your baby is born. Baby proofing products
require a period of transition for you to become
comfortable with their use.
The “Next Best Time” is before your
child crawls. Long term effectiveness is enhanced if
your child never knows that the cupboard under the sink
“ has pretty stuff in it”.
Before the baby walks is next best.
WORST time? After an Emergency Department visit.
Use high quality slide-by style outlet covers on ALL
electrical outlets.
Lock ALL cabinet and drawers - from hip level down.
Hide or shorten all electrical cords.
Turn hot water tank to 120 degrees or less.
Use only Installed gated at stairs - never pressure
gates.
Use the all metal door top locks.
If an older sibling is in the home, be aware to separate the
baby from the toys of the older child to prevent chocking
hazards.
Injury rates increase as the family adds members. It’s much
more difficult to watch two children than it is to watch one
child. Remember: Baby proofing is on duty 24 hours a
day.
Top 10 baby proofing
basics
1. PROTECT BABY’S FINGERS: Lock
ALL cabinets and drawers from hip level down, in
every room. We’ve tested them all and can only recommend
latches by Mommy’s Helper, the Tot Lock, and the European
Super Latch.
2. KITCHEN ALERT: Apply
Appliance Locks to oven & dishwasher doors. Stove top
Shield-A-Burn acts to prevent many types of burns. Stove
Knob-Locks should always be in use. Use
only back burners.
3. Cover all electrical outlets,
especially the high ones. NO PLUG INSERTS
(possible choking hazard) We recommend the
Care Cover (The best slide-by style cover),
the box type outlet covers, or one of our other custom
designed electrical safety products. Avoid
rotating-type covers.
4. Lock up all toilets to prevent
drowning, loss of valuables and
huge plumbing bills. We recommend only two
of the twelve on the market. This is your child’s FIRST
swimming pool. LOCK IT UP!
5. Make sure you always have at least one
hand on your baby at all times. Use our safety Tub
Tray that way your baby and everything you need to
bath your baby is right in front of you. Lower your hot
water temperature to 120 F or less to
prevent scalding.
6. Use only installed gates at stairs.
Never use pressure gates at stairs. We use Kidco and Summer Infant gate products. Apply Safety Mesh (never
Plexiglass) to all railing to prevent climbing and
falls. Mesh is easier to install, easier to clean
and doesn’t affect your home’s A/C or heating.
7. A raised hearth fireplace requires a
professionally installed surrounding safety gate.
We can help with professional installation.
8. All care providers need to be trained
in CPR and first aid.
9. All care providers should SEE
where the following important items are stored:
Your child’s Authorization Letter, Your
Emergency Telephone and Reference Chart,
Fire Extinguishers and your First
Aid Kit. (All forms are available free from Dr.
Baby Proofer)10.
Not sure if something is
a choking hazard? If the item is small enough
to fit through an average cardboard toilet paper tube, then
it poses a choking hazard.
Can I do it myself?
There are hundreds of baby proofing
devices on the market. Unfortunately, not all are
effective. An in-home evaluation by a trained child
safety expert gives you not only
knowledge on what and why safety measures should be
implemented, but also how to
maintain the long term effectiveness of the measures taken.
Information on which products are dependable and which are
of poor design/quality is basic to every Dr. Baby Proofer
evaluation visit. The initial audit/evaluation in your
home gives you the opportunity to gain insight as to
which product will work most effectively in each room.
The “ABC’s of Long Term Effectiveness” should be
discussed.
A room by room assessment of hazards found around
your home will be very rewarding for you and your
child. Many seemingly innocent, common items will be
noted as dangerous.
Trauma prevention is much more than mere
use of a few common safety
items. Many common child safety products are
actually a hazard themselves!
No parent wants their child to suffer the consequences of an
unintentional injury. Nothing is more effective at
preventing an injury than an in home safety audit by Dr.
Baby Proofer. In our 20+ year history, there has never been
a severe traumatic event in any home where we have provided
our services. Nothing takes the place of close, constant
parental supervision. “But I just turned my back for a
second” are the most frequent words spoken by a parent in
the emergency department. “He/She has never shown an
interest in that before”, is usually the next statement.
Now, do you see why you, or anyone else, can’t possibly
watch your child every minute of the day? Yet, baby proofing
is “ON DUTY” 24 hours a day to protect both baby and you!
This article can only touch the surface of the whys, whats
and wheres of baby proofing. We encourage you and your
friends/family to contact us with your questions and /or
challenges. Schedule an in-home safety evaluation today.
Waiting may lead to forgetting which may lead to a
preventable traumatic event occurring in your home.
Please don’t take a chance with your child’s safety. It may
cost far to much!
To learn more about Dr. Baby Proofer or to schedule an
in-home evaluation, please call
(972) 380-1116 or visit
http://www.drbabyproofer.com.
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