Selecting a kid-safe home

Finally, you get to search for the house of your dreams. But now that you have little ones, you may need to take a new look at some common features to ensure they are safe. A bit of forethought now can give you peace-of-mind over the next few years.

• Staircases. Most staircases can be made safer by using a childproof gate at the top and bottom. Also, look for handrails, a carpet or runner and a place to mount the gate.  
• Pool. Install a safety fence or gate to keep little ones from gaining entry. Door knob covers or locks should also be used on the gate handles.
• Balconies. Check to see that the slats are close enough together so a child cannot squeeze through.
• Sliding glass doors. Check to see that it is safety glass. And, then you’ll want to put stickers on the glass so kids don’t walk into them.
• Lead paint. Chipping or peeling lead paint can be a deadly hazard for a young child. This paint would need to be removed immediately and repainted.
• Outlets without GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupters). If the home is not equipped with these, you should have an electrician install them for you.

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, about 2.5 million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year. The good news is that many of these accidents could have been prevented using simple childproofing measures.