Childproofing
[1][2] Childproofing is gaining more prominence now that parents have greater access to information on child injury and a wide variety of products are available to help prevent it.
[3] One of the more common concerns of child safety is the potential for electrocution or serious injury when an object, such as a key or metal paper clip, is inserted into an electrical outlet.
These devices may be as simple as plastic units that plug into each individual socket but this type could be removed by a toddler or parents might forget to re-insert them after using the outlet.
[6] One of the more common methods of childproofing is to move potentially dangerous items to higher levels, beyond the reach of young children.
External devices are easily inserted around or between handles; they work by restricting movement unless the locking mechanism is released.
[8] Another type of lock is internal: it consists of a bendable plastic rod with a blunt hook on one side, and is situated on the inside of the drawer or cabinet.
A playpen is another device that is commonly used as a form of childproofing, by restricting the movement of a child while resting, playing or bottle feeding, requiring a somewhat lower level of supervision while in use.
[15] There are also a number of special latches that lock lower cabinets and require two actions to open, reducing the chance that a small child may gain access.
It may be required by regulation for prescription drugs, for over the counter medications, for pesticides, or for household chemicals where there is a significant risk of death from ingestion.
When childproofing a house in terms of fire safety, it is essential that the home be equipped with properly maintained smoke alarms on every level both inside and outside of sleeping areas.
[18] Disposable lighters sold in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States (since 1994)[19] must incorporate child-resistant features.
[19] Due to a number of high-profile legal cases,[21] many manufacturers now produce goods with built-in safety measures, such as child-resistant locks.
