As a parent, it's your job to make your baby's world a safe place for her to learn and grow. Baby-proofing helps protect your baby from dangerous things in your home--and helps protect your precious objects from damage.

Start by getting on your hands and knees and looking around your home from a baby's eye view.

Watch out for Small or sharp things. Anything a baby can reach will go into her mouth. Keep floors and tables clear of coins, cigarettes, dust balls, paper clips, staples and anything smaller than 1 1/2 inches around that you wouldn't want her to eat. If knobs on your television or stereo are small and come off, electronic stores sell larger ones. Keep knives, scissors and razor blades out of the baby's reach. Throw out broken glass and other sharp objects right away--don't leave them in open wastebaskets.

Watch out for Electrical things. Cover unused electrical outlets with plastic plugs you can buy at the hardware store. Keep lamp cords out of the way behind furniture. Move fans up high. In the kitchen, don't leave cords dangling.

Watch out for Poisons. If you can, move cleaning supplies to a high place. Put child-proof locks on cupboards with dangerous chemicals. Children drink things just to try them, even if they taste bad. Remember that some house plants are poisonous. Ask your local Extension Office for list of poisonous plants. If you have a party, pour left-over drinks down the sink. It takes very little alcohol to poison a child. Cigarettes can also poison children who eat them.

Medicine cabinets should lock. Don't take medicine in front of your child. Never tell baby medicine is "candy." In large amounts, even aspirin, Tylenol or vitamins can kill. Keep the phone number for Poison Control near your phone. A bottle of syrup of ipecac should be in your medicine cabinet. Read the directions on the ipecac bottle.

Watch out for Hot Food. Test the temperature of food heated in the microwave. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

Watch out for Plastic bags. The plastic bags covering dry-cleaned clothes are very dangerous. A baby can get a bag over her mouth and nose and suffocate. Balloons, except the shiny Mylar kind, can choke babies. Throw broken balloons and plastic dry cleaning bags out immediately.

Watch out for Stairs. Install safety gates at the top and bottom of open stairways, and be sure to keep them fastened at all times when baby is around.

Watch out for Valuables. Store valuable objects in a secure drawer or a high shelf.It's easier to change your home than to change your baby, and it saves you from saying "No, don't touch that" so often.

Once your baby can stand, she can reach further and higher. She can reach things that were out of the reach before. Look at each room in your home again; and watch for new hazards:

• When your baby uses furniture to pull himself up, your child can pull things over. Remove wobbly tables that could tip over. Fasten bookcases to the wall if they are not sturdy.
• Set your crib mattress to the lowest level. Remove bumper pads and large stuffed toys that the baby could step on to climb out.
• Be especially alert for dangling electric cords, tablecloths or curtains that your baby could pull down or get tangled in.
• Keep medicines, cleaners, pesticides, alcohol and other poisons locked out of your baby's reach.
• Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees F. in case the baby turns on the faucet while in the tub. This saves money, too. Never leave your baby alone in or near water, even for a minute.
• Don't let your baby stand up in the grocery cart at the store. Use the safety strap to keep him seated.
• Don't let your baby stand up in her high chair.

Baby proofing your home is the best thing you can do to keep your baby safe.

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