Childproof
Encyclopedia
Childproofing is the act of making an environment or object relatively safe for children. The act of childproofing reduces risks to a level considered acceptable by a society, an institution, or, for example, to specific parents. Childproofing may include restriction of children to safe areas or preventing children from reaching unsafe areas. This can be accomplished by the parent, or by hiring a professional for assistance. Additionally, some hotels offer "child proof" hotel rooms.
or serious injury when an object, such as a key
or metal paper clip
, is inserted into an electrical outlet. Many devices exist that block access to the electrical outlets so that nothing can be inserted without removing the physical device blocking the outlet itself. These devices may as simple as plastic
(non-conducting) units that plug into each individual socket, or cover the entire wall outlet.
The United States government publishes at least one free brochures for children that discuss electrical safety.
vases or similar items.
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. Many playpens are portable
, making them an alternative when the parent and child are visiting a home that has not been "childproofed".
Safety gates ("baby gate
s") are used to help prevent a child from accessing an area of a house, especially the stairway, or to allow an exterior door to be open for ventilation while restricting movement of a child.
. It is common to store a number of potentially dangerous chemicals under the kitchen sink, such as drain cleaner
s, ammonia
, products containing chlorine
and various chemical polishes, which are one of the most common causes of accidental child poison
ing. There are a number of special latches that lock lower cabinets and require two hands to open, reducing the chance that a small child may gain access.
is now common for medications. There are a variety of methods to secure medications, including caps that must be pinched or pushed down while turning. 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. Patients can request medications come in non-protected bottles at their pharmacy (such as older patients with arthritis
).
has attempted to increase awareness of potential hazards and has made it easier for consumers to report potentially dangerous products.
Electrical safety
One of the more common cocerns of child safety is the potential for electricutionElectric shock
Electric Shock of a body with any source of electricity that causes a sufficient current through the skin, muscles or hair. Typically, the expression is used to denote an unwanted exposure to electricity, hence the effects are considered undesirable....
or serious injury when an object, such as a key
Key (lock)
A key is an instrument that is used to operate a lock. A typical key consists of two parts: the blade, which slides into the keyway of the lock and distinguishes between different keys, and the bow, which is left protruding so that torque can be applied by the user. The blade is usually intended to...
or metal paper clip
Paper Clip
"Paper Clip" is a 1995 episode of The X-Files television series. It was the second episode broadcast in the show's third season. Paper Clip concludes the story regarding the agents' possession of a digital tape containing government secrets on extraterrestrials.- Plot :Continuing from the previous...
, is inserted into an electrical outlet. Many devices exist that block access to the electrical outlets so that nothing can be inserted without removing the physical device blocking the outlet itself. These devices may as simple as plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
(non-conducting) units that plug into each individual socket, or cover the entire wall outlet.
The United States government publishes at least one free brochures for children that discuss electrical safety.
Physical access
One of the more common methods of childproofing is to move potentially dangerous items to higher levels, beyond the reach of young children. This may include small items that pose a choking hazard, sharp items that might poke or cut a child, as well as breakable items such as glassGlass
Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...
vases or similar items.
A playpen
Playpen
A playpen is a piece of furniture in which an infant or young toddler is placed to prevent self-harm when her/his parent or guardian is occupied or away. The earliest use of the word playpen cited in the Oxford English Dictionary is 1902...
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
Supervision
Supervision may refer to:*Supervisor, one who oversees the work or tasks of another*Regulation, controlling behavior by rules or restrictions...
while in use. Many playpens are portable
Portable
Portable may refer to:* Portable building, a manufactured structure that is built off site and moved in upon completion of site and utility work...
, making them an alternative when the parent and child are visiting a home that has not been "childproofed".
Safety gates ("baby gate
Baby gate
A baby gate or child safety gate is a protective barrier designed to prevent young children from accessing areas of a home where they might be unsafe, such as stairways and kitchens. Baby gates are typically constructed of metal, plastic and/or wood, and can be expanded to fit in a range of doorway...
s") are used to help prevent a child from accessing an area of a house, especially the stairway, or to allow an exterior door to be open for ventilation while restricting movement of a child.
Chemical access
One of the more dangerous areas in the home is under the kitchen sinkKitchen sink
Kitchen sink is a term often used in the phrase everything but the kitchen sinkKitchen sink may also refer to:* A sink in a kitchen for washing dishes, vegetables, etc* Kitchen Sink, a 1989 short film by Alison Maclean...
. It is common to store a number of potentially dangerous chemicals under the kitchen sink, such as drain cleaner
Drain cleaner
A drain cleaner is a consumer product or device that unblocks sewer pipes or helps to prevent the occurrence of clogged drains; the term may also refer to the individual who performs the activity...
s, ammonia
Ammonia
Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula . It is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent odour. Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to food and fertilizers. Ammonia, either directly or...
, products containing chlorine
Chlorine
Chlorine is the chemical element with atomic number 17 and symbol Cl. It is the second lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17. The element forms diatomic molecules under standard conditions, called dichlorine...
and various chemical polishes, which are one of the most common causes of accidental child poison
Poison
In the context of biology, poisons are substances that can cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism....
ing. There are a number of special latches that lock lower cabinets and require two hands to open, reducing the chance that a small child may gain access.
Medicine access
Child-resistant packagingChild-resistant packaging
Child-resistant packaging or C-R packaging is special packaging used to reduce the risk of children ingesting dangerous items. This is often accomplished by the use of a special safety cap. It is required by regulation for prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, pesticides, and household...
is now common for medications. There are a variety of methods to secure medications, including caps that must be pinched or pushed down while turning. It may be required by regulation for prescription drugs, for over the counter medications, for pesticides, or for household chemicals
Household chemicals
Household chemicals are chemicals that are commonly found and used in and around the average household. Food additives generally don't fall under this category, unless they have a use other than for human consumption...
where there is a significant risk of death from ingestion. Patients can request medications come in non-protected bottles at their pharmacy (such as older patients with arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
).
Fire safety
Disposable lighters sold in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States (since 1994) must incorporate child-resistant features. The European Union added the same standard in 2010. The cheap alterations have resulted in fewer juvenile-set fires and deaths. One firefighter was quoted as saying "Children love to play with lighters. They figure it out", while another fire fighting official said "kids' brains do not have the ability to understand how dangerous fire is, and how quickly it can spread".Legal aspects
Due to a number of high profile legal cases, many manufacturers now produce goods with built in safety measures, such as childproof locks. The Consumer Product Safety CommissionConsumer Product Safety Commission
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent agency of the United States government created in 1972 through the Consumer Product Safety Act to protect "against unreasonable risks of injuries associated with consumer products." The CPSC is an independent agency that does...
has attempted to increase awareness of potential hazards and has made it easier for consumers to report potentially dangerous products.