Refers to the practice of altering an environment in such a way as to maximize the safety of small children.

According to the National Safety Council, 2,100 children, ages four and under, died as the result of home accidents during 1992. Of that total, 400 died by drowning, 100 by poisoning, and 120 in falls. Pediatricians advise parents to start thinking about home safety when their children are around six months old. As soon as the child is even slightly mobile, childproofing the house is a wise practice. Traditionally, this has meant removing breakable objects and storing household chemicals out of reach. In recent years, parents have recognized that safety hazards exist in every area of the home. Many parents have installed safety devices throughout the house, including electrical outlet covers, safety gates at tops and bottoms of stairs, and guards over windows. Window protection is vital to avoiding accidental falls. Many types...