Child safety

Every parent knows how hard it is to keep a child safe from injuries related to falling. When a baby first learns to walk, preventing falls requires constant supervision. Later, a toddler who's not as likely to fall while walking may tumble during a covert ascent to the cookie jar — and an older child may miscalculate the physics involved in rocketing up a flight of hardwood stairs in socks. Still, there's plenty you can do to promote child safety and prevent injuries from falls.

• Beware of heights. Never leave a baby alone on a bed, changing table or piece of furniture. Use the safety strap on highchairs and other infant seats. Don't allow a young child to play alone on a fire escape, high porch or balcony. Safety netting also may help prevent falls.
• Keep stairs clear. Clutter increases the risk of tripping and falling.
• Install safety gates. Block a toddler's access to stairs with safety gates. If you're putting a safety gate at the top of a staircase, attach it to the wall.
• Keep windows locked and screens in place. A young child may squeeze through a window opened as little as five inches (12.7 centimeters). Although all windows that open should have screens, screens aren't strong enough to keep a child inside. Discourage play near windows and patio doors, which could lead to a fall through glass. Don't store or display anything a child could climb near a window.
• Prevent access to extension cords. It's easy to trip on them.
• Address slippery surfaces. Use a rubber pad in the bathtub to help prevent slipping and clean kitchen spills quickly. Use foam carpet padding, double-sided tape or a rubber pad under area rugs to keep them from sliding.
• Avoid baby walkers. A young child may trip over a baby walker, fall out of the walker or fall down the stairs while using a walker.