As soon as children start talking, you can begin to teach them how to obey rules and respect boundaries.  But if you consider how hard it is to get adults to respect one another’s rights and requests, it is that much harder for kids to.  Expect to repeat yourself ad nauseum and to have to enforce it with consequences (time-outs, toys taken away, no treats, etc.) until the point has been made and believed.

Toddlers and babies, however have to be protected with actual boundaries they cannot cross and rules you cannot forget to keep (closing doors, gates, railings and guards; keeping toxic products and medicines put away up high, etc.).  If you have a pool, a security fence with a self-latching gate is required by law.  Failure to comply is a serious offense and life-threatening to children who might make their way to the water.  Splash alarms are available now that will sound if an unattended child falls in.  Get one if you have a pool and toddlers.  In addition, there are caps, straps and covers for practically every piece of electronic equipment or appliance you own from floor level power strips to computer and VCR guards to shock-locks for your wall power outlets.

Here is a small sampling of the many great baby-safe products out there:

• Adjustable stove shields and guards, molded of heat resistant polycarbonate plastic panels that flare out from the front of your stove top so little ones can’t reach over to the burners
• Knob covers for stoves to stop infants from turning on the knobs and oven locks to prevent them from opening a hot oven
• Hearth gates for fireplaces
• Safety taps that cover the hot water tap in bathtubs to prevent children from cranking up the hot water and scalding themselves
• Finger pinch guards are flexible cushions that attach to doors and prevent little fingers from getting slammed inside
• Corner cushions for sharp furniture edges
• No-tip safety straps and brackets for heavy furniture
• Bright orange retractable boundary setting safety nets for driveways
• Portable bed rails and nets
• Toilet locks
• Deck netting and banister guards
• Emergency fire escape ladders
• Allergy-safe mattresses

Remember, if you have children in the house, dangerous items need to be under lock and key.  And no child, of any age, should ever be left in a car for any length of time, unattended. 

The following website is one of many that will link you up with baby-safe products:  www.safeandsecurebaby.com