Once a child begins to creep and then crawl, these little ones can get into trouble big time!  Parents, family members, caregivers, and babysitters can afford to take another look at what we need to do to protect children when they begin crawling.  Young children are curious and as soon as they are mobile, they begin to seek out colorful, interesting and shiny shapes and want to touch them. 

There are ways that parents and caregivers can protect children at this stage--and here are some good tips, from the Children's National Medical Center, which advises SafeKidsUSA on how to keep kids safe:

·        Watch your child! "Closely supervise" your crawling baby.

·        Place one hand on the baby when a child is sitting on furniture to prevent falls or awkward moves that could hurt baby.

·        Define a "safe space" for a child to explore--Make sure the space is safe by putting away objects which could break or endanger your child (ashtrays, vases, objets d'arts) if the objects fall or get broken. Don't just put them up--we think this encourages a child to see what is "up"!

·        Limit access to any kind of electrical hazard: electric sockets (there are plastic "stoppers" you can buy at any hardware store to prevent children from putting their fingers or anything else in the sockets); TVs, radios, computers, and peripherals--anything with an electrical cord!

·        Limit access to bookshelves and entertainment centers--climbing, falling object electrical and fall hazards.

·        Use stair gates, barriers and fences, but make sure they are safe childhood furniture products.

·        Limit access to drawers in bathroom, kitchen, and bedrooms where the contents might spill or be hazardous to children.

·        Move baby furniture away from windows and do away with window blinds--note the recent CPSC recalls of window blinds and roll-up window shades.

·        Do not use baby walkers with wheels; and

·        Several brands of baby swings have been recalled and have been removed from the market place. If you use a baby swing or any other toddler furniture product, make certain it is safely constructed and not any of the brands/models that have been recalled.  Check http://www.cpsc.gov for information on recalled toddlers' toys and furniture.

Childsafetyblog.org likes: http://www.childrensnational.org/advocacy/KeyIssues/IVPrevention/

And is happy to pass along these good tips to parents!