HOME VISITING: Baby Proofing Your Home

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) injuries are the fifth leading cause of infant mortality. These injuries include, but are not limited to, suffocation, burns, falls, and accidental poisoning. Many of these accidents can be avoided by educating yourself on how to create a safe environment for your baby or child. By enrolling in the free Home Visiting program, a home visitor can help make sure your home is baby proof. Simple changes can be made to make your home a safe one.

When your home visitor comes to the scheduled appointment, you can walk through where you live and he/she can help you see what needs to change to make sure your home is safe for you and your baby. Common baby proof adjustments are:  

• Furniture safety: wall mounting your TV, installing anti tip kits for drawers, bookcases etc.
• Put safety plugs or outlet covers over unused outlets
• Use window guards, window stops and safety netting on windows, decks and landings
• Move cleaning products and other potentially toxic items out of reach or lock them up
• Install gates to block stairways

If you want someone to make sure your house is baby ready, Home Visiting specialists are ready to help you. For more information on Home Visiting and to learn how to enroll, call the Help Me Grow 2-1-1 line.