Creating and maintaining a safe environment for small children is a challenge parents face every day. Although most casually accept this aspect of child care, few comprehend its vital importance. Accidents are the leading cause of death among infants and toddlers and account for more deaths than those from all childhood diseases combined.

So what is the best plan to prevent unnecessary injury or death to a child? The most important ingredient is responsible supervision. It only takes a few minutes for a small child to get into trouble, which is why they need a constant, watchful eye on them. Safety devices can fail and many toddlers discover how to bypass some of them.

Childproofing can be used as an aid, but it is not 100 percent foolproof and should not take the place of an attentive caregiver.

The first step to childproofing is to discover potential hazards before a child does. Think of uncommon dangers as well as the common ones. For example, in addition to covering electrical outlets, determine how you can also hide electrical cords that a toddler can chew on.

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