"Baby-proof" your house by taking the following precautions:

• Never leave your baby alone in or near the water, whether it be a pool or bath tub. Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in children.
• Cover electric sockets with safety caps, which can be purchased at toy, hardware or drug stores. Keep cords and hot appliances out of reach.
• Never let your baby chew on electric cords.
• To avoid toys lodging in your baby's throat, use only large toys. If you have older children, watch out for small toys that your older children might leave around.
• Remove loose eyes from stuffed animals; your child might bite them off and choke.
• Use one-piece rubber pacifier.
• Remove or pad low pieces of furniture that have sharp corners.
• Prohibit use of and proximity to knives, power tools and mowers.
• Lock doors to basement and garage.
• Check stability of drawers, tall furniture and lamps. Secure shelving units to the wall.
• Make sure windows above the first floor are closed or have screens or guards that cannot be pushed out.
• Provide soft surface under play equipment.
• Avoid bunk beds.
• Do not leave balloons around; they can break and the small pieces can be swallowed or aspirated.
• Take big stuffed animals and toys out of the crib; your child may use them to climb on, and he could fall out of the crib or get hurt.
• Put gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Gates should have a straight-top edge. A Vshaped or diamond-shaped pattern can cause strangulation.
• Remove dangerous substances, like drain cleaners and dishwasher detergent, from under the sink. Store them out of reach from all children or in locked cabinets. Medicines, vitamins, gardening and refinishing chemicals should also be locked away. Never store these types of substances in old food containers because they may then be confused as edible.
• Remove sharp-pointed objects, like knives or scissors, from low kitchen drawers and store them out of harm's reach.
• Use safety latches on drawers and cabinets. Latches can be purchased at toy, hardware and drug stores. They are easy to install and easy for you to use.
• Do not use infant walkers. Many countries have banned them because they are unsafe. When an infant is in one, he is too heavy. He may trip down the stairs or over an electric cord and injure himself. The American Academy of Pediatrics has come out strongly against their use.
• Do not smoke near children.
• Turn the water heater down to about 120°F. Treat a burn immediately with cold water. Check temperature of formula and food carefully. Do not use a microwave to heat the baby's formula.