| Child safety locks are easy and inexpensive and | | | | For example, a toilet lock is a good thing for a child |
| should be a part of any place children spend time. | | | | who is going to have access to a bathroom. If you |
| Child safety locks come in many varieties and are | | | | are unable to keep the door shut and aren't always |
| usually relatively inexpensive. They can be as | | | | around to supervise, consider installing a toilet lock. |
| important as your child's car seat and should not be | | | | These simple devices attach to your toilet and lock |
| overlooked. You won't regret taking the time to | | | | the lid down. Toddlers are prone to drowning in |
| purchase and install these safety features. | | | | toilets because their heads are so heavy compared |
| After my son was born, I discovered why companies | | | | to the rest of their bodies that they are simply |
| make child safety locks. He was into everything and | | | | unable to lift their heads back out of the toilet if they |
| curious about how everything worked. His sisters had | | | | fall forward. |
| never even bothered with the outlets, toilet lid, or | | | | On the other hand, installing a refrigerator lock may |
| cupboards. He, on the other hand, could not get | | | | be unnecessary as most toddlers aren't strong |
| enough. If he had a car in his hand, he would try and | | | | enough to open a refrigerator anyway and the lock |
| put it in an outlet. He was fascinated with the flushing | | | | will only cause you frustration in the end. Locking |
| mechanism of the toilet and wanted to flush the | | | | everything up and installing padded bumpers on |
| toilet over and over. Although I had already installed | | | | everything will make you feel like you are a toddler |
| child safety locks before he was born, out of | | | | again as well. With proper supervision and attention |
| concern for my other children, I had not seen them | | | | to those areas of obvious concern, most parents will |
| put to good use until he came along. Child safety | | | | be able to adequately protect their children from |
| locks are important for keeping your young children | | | | harm. |
| safe and giving you greater peace of mind. | | | | 3. Take a "wait and see" approach: Covering the |
| With so many types of locks out there, here are | | | | outlets in your home is an easy and obvious place to |
| some tips on which kinds to buy and where to place | | | | start. Children seem to be drawn to those little holes |
| them: | | | | in the wall and covering them up doesn't require very |
| 1. Get down on their level: One of the best ways to | | | | much money, time, or effort to install or remove |
| figure out what types of locks you will need is to | | | | when needed. The same goes for cupboards where |
| actually get on your hands and knees and crawl | | | | cleaners are kept. Obviously you will want to keep |
| around your house. What do you see? What can you | | | | children out of those cupboards by installing some |
| reach? What looks enticing? Do you notice an outlet | | | | sort of cupboard lock which can be found at most |
| you had forgotten about? Is there a cupboard with | | | | grocery stores and big box stores. The other things |
| household cleaners in it? After you've crawled around | | | | like stove guards, oven locks, refrigerator locks, etc. |
| your house, you can better assess your needs and | | | | can all be purchased as needed. If you see your child |
| realize all the ways your young children could hurt | | | | reaching for the oven and he is able to open it, you |
| themselves if precautions aren't taken. | | | | may want to consider buying a lock. |
| 2. Safety Yes, Bubble No: We all want to protect our | | | | Conclusively, child safety locks come in many |
| children, but we have to realize we cannot protect | | | | varieties and are usually relatively inexpensive. They |
| them from everything. No matter what you do, kids | | | | can be as important as your child's car seat and |
| will sometimes find ways to get hurt anyway. The | | | | should not be overlooked. You won't regret taking |
| best thing we can do is understand the inherent risks | | | | the time to purchase and install these safety |
| in childhood and then take necessary safety | | | | features. |
| precautions. | | | | |