Infant & Toddler Safety Checklist (aka Baby Proofing)
The arrival of a new baby brings joy, cause for celebration, and yes… a need to Baby Proof your home. First-things-first, there is no such thing as complete Baby-Proofing. It's a myth. Infants and toddlers have uncanny ways of finding forbidden substances and doing the un-doable, so there is no substitute for close adult supervision. You can do your best to make your home a safe environment, but unnoticed dangers may still be lurking in your safe haven. Do not leave your child unattended - even for a very short time! O.K., here are some points to consider as you start to make your Safety Checklists:

Your Child Will Never Cease To Amaze You! - this means you will be caught off guard at times. The baby that was just crawling at 10:00 am may actually walk at 10:05 am. Thus you should always be at least 2 to 3 steps ahead of the baby in considering safety precautions

Look At Things From Your Baby's Perspective - Yes it sounds silly, but crawling around your home on your hands and knees will help you identify safety hazards that you may not notice while walking around in that dignified upright adult posture.

Do Not Ignore Regular Home Safety Precautions - such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors - they're important for the Baby and for the rest of the family. Most local fire departments offer free information on these devices and often offer reduced cost detectors. These devices do save lives! Also family practice fire drills are a good safety strategy.

Never Rely on any Safety Checklist as Complete - No safety checklist is complete, including this one. You will have to take on the responsibility of identifying potential dangers yourself. Homes are varied and local building codes differ. No one list will provide you with all the information you need. Even if you have a professional service baby proof you home, you should do your own analysis of potential hazards. Changes in your household as simple as guests or a new piece of furniture can necessitate adjustments to protect your baby. Always Be Vigilant! You are the first line of defense for your baby.

O.K., as we pointed out before, no list is complete, including this one. We have made every effort to be thorough and identify common hazards, but we are sure we have missed many. The following lists are provided to make you think. (click here to read our Terms of Service.) Do your own analysis and look carefully. If you have some safety tips you feel should be added to our list let us know by e-mailing us at BBB_BP@Yahoo.com. The entire checklist is about 21 pages.

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Disclaimer: Note, these lists are provided to start you thinking about safety. We guarantee that these lists ARE NOT COMPLETE! You will have to evaluate your own home. No list can anticipate every circumstance. The personal health of yourself , your spouse, children or other factors may dictate that you take precautions not listed here, or that you ignore suggestions made here. Ultimately, you are responsible for your child's safety. When you are unsure or have questions always consult an appropriate professional. We have made every effort to check the accuracy of our information, but we do not guarantee it to be accurate or complete. Use your own judgments and always seek the advice of a physician when appropriate. These lists are intended only to help you identify potential problems. Read our TERMS OF SERVICE for additional information about the conditions and terms under which this list is supplied.