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How Can I Childproof My Toddler's Room?
My son is almost 3 and very active. This morning he unlocked his bedroom window, climbed out, and was standing in the rain on our back porch. How do I make it impossible for him to get out?
– Chuck
It sounds like your son was pretty lucky. Falls from first-floor windows often cause serious injury, and if you lived in a two-story home, the consequences could have been worse.
Thorough childproofing is essential — especially now that your curious child is able to figure out how things work around the house, like window locks. Install new childproof window locks or invest in window guards. You can get ones that stop children from falling out but can still be used as a fire escape. (They might not look the best, but remember — safety always comes first.) Move all furniture away from the window so your child can't use it to climb, and while you're at it, evaluate the rest of your home for potentially dangerous situations.
For more information, check out these articles:
Falls Instruction Sheet
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: February 2007
Originally reviewed by: Email us.
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