Many parents and grandparents are likely preparing for the little ones to visit this holiday season. And between gifts, food and cleaning, there is a lot to think about. But what about safety?
Ann Brown, former chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, says there are simple things you can do around your home to protect young children.
She points out many grandparents are not used to having young children around the house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Brown says a grandma's best friend is a key, simply locking everything up in a cabinet.
That means medicines, laundry detergent pods that kids can swallow, and anything else that can be dangerous.
She says if you have blinds with long cords that a child can reach, be sure to tie them up at the top of the window. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports one child a month is strangled by those cords.
Make sure car seats are installed properly and cleaned regularly. Brown also says if you have a golf cart, treat it like a car and do not let an underage driver behind the wheel.
Also, make sure all heavy furniture is secured and a child cannot pull it on top of them.
