Child Safety

As parents, we want to keep our children safe from harm. Take steps to keep your children safe by

Installing the right child safety seat in your car
Teaching children how to cross the street safely
Making sure they wear the right gear and equipment for sports
Installing and testing smoke alarms
Storing medicines, cleaners and other dangerous substances in locked cabinets
Babyproofing your home
Not leaving small children unattended

Child Safety Lock on Wikipedia

A '''child safety Lock (device)''' is a special-purpose device for locking cabinets, drawers, bottles, etc. to prevent children from getting at the dangerous contents. Young children are naturally curious about their surroundings and will always explore, but as they do not have knowledge of dangerous substances or situations, the results can be fatal. Numerous cases of poisoning have resulted from toddlers eating brightly-colored pills or spilling cleaning solvents.

Containers

In the United States, child safety locking mechanisms have been required by law since 1970 on all containers for potentially dangerous medicines and household cleaning products. These laws are enforced by the Consumer Products Safety Commission. These locking mechanisms may take several forms, but the most common is a design that requires a tab to be pressed firmly as the lid is twisted. Great strength and dexterity are not required to open the bottle, but the process is deliberately made to be unintuitive, and the children who might recklessly eat pills are unable to decipher the opening instructions. Parents and guardians are firmly admonished to keep all such containers out of the reach of children anyway, as no locking device is foolproof. It has become common practice in households to keep medicines and pills in high cabinets (sometimes locked) for safety. Cleaning agents, however, are still generally kept under sinks, where they are accessible.

Cabinet doors

Another type of lock is an inexpensive device which can be easily installed into drawers, cabinets, or other openables to prevent easy opening. It consists of a bendable plastic rod with a blunt hook on one side, and is situated on the inside of the drawer or cabinet. The hook catches on part of the drawer or door and prevents opening unless the rod is bent downward simultaneously to disengage the hook. These devices are helpful to pet owners as well — a typical housecat may be able ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

911 Kits - Provides emergency survival, earthquake, roadside, child and pet safety kits.

Safety Think, Inc. - Features an emergency beacon for called emergency vehicles, escape ladders, child safety items, and detectors.

Playnix Swing Sets - Our multi-location stores feature quality redwood swingsets, forts, and playhouses. They are modular in design so you can create your own special play area for your child in the safety of your backyard.

KidSmartLiving - Includes washable slipcovers and pillows, unbreakable drinkware and tableware, child safety gates, storage solutions, decorating ideas, and craft projects.

Justfax - Offering luggage, aroma snoozer, product to remove wrinkles from clothing, shoes and child safety seats.

Top Security Products - Offers personal protection products such as GPS solutions for self defense, pepper spray, alarms, mace, surveillance, monitors and child safety.

Parenting Press - Publisher of child guidance, parent education, emotional competence and children's safety books. Online ordering and weekly tips.

Holtzman, Debra Smiley - The Safety Expert - Author of child safety books, including The Panic-Proof Parent.

SafetyStore - Selection of safety, first aid, home and child safety, emergency preapredness and response products and services.

Shop 4 Kids - Child safety, feeding, toys, and room decor. Australian site ships worldwide.

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