When Calynn Kissner started crawling, the pediatrician told her parents it was time to start baby-proofing.

"We started with the little plastic plug-ins in the outlets. Then when she actually started walking, we got a pad that went around our coffee table because she loves to run around the coffee table, and it's got sharp edges on it," said Calynn's mother, Lynn Kissner.

A home filled with things that are harmless and innocuous to adults -- electric outlets, cleaning supplies, window blinds -- can be deadly to toddlers who don't know not to swim in toilets or eat laundry powder, or whose unsteady legs can't quite negotiate stairs just yet.

"You need to think differently about your home because there's a small little child there," said Michael Hixson, owner of Kidsafe Inc.

The key, experts say, is to educate yourself about hazards.

"Get down on your hands and knees to explore your home from your child's point of view," said Angela Mickalide, director of education and outreach for the Home Safety Council. "Look for sharp corners, electrical outlets, small objects hiding in the carpet or under furniture and potentially poisonous house plants."

And keep on doing it. Baby-proofing is not just a one time thing. More risks will present themselves as children grow and become more mobile.

"The safety needs during the first 24 months of a child's life will vary dramatically as the child reaches various growth and development milestones," Ms. Mickalide said.

Cabinet Locks

Mr. and Mrs. Kissner put cabinet locks on the doors that are within Calynn's reach to keep her away from chemical cleaning supplies, as well as cans with sharp edges. Ms. Mickalide said latching cabinets and drawers to keep curious babies out of harmful chemicals is one of the non-negotiable aspects of baby-proofing. In a pinch, she said, heavy, sturdy rubber bands can be used in place of latches to keep doors and drawers closed.

Smoke Detector

"Residential fires are the leading cause of death among young children," said Ms. Mickalide of the Home Safety Council. She emphasizes the importance of having working smoke alarms throughout the home, as well as having a home escape plan in the event of a fire. A spokesperson for the Chattanooga Fire Department said smoke detectors and installation can be provided within the city limits, even to families who can't afford to pay.

Additionally, Ms. Mickalide said, parents should install detectors for carbon monoxide, a potentially deadly gas with no odor, color or taste.

Windows

According to the Home Safety Council, window-related injuries account for more than 110,000 emergency-room visits a year, and children are more likely to die from a window fall than from any other type of fall. Use window guards to prevent curious toddlers from engaging in potentially fatal mischief. Additionally, keep window-blind cords, which can cause strangulation, out of children's reach.

Safety Gates

Place safety gates at the tops and bottoms of staircases to keep small children from plummeting down steps.

Mrs. Kissner said the gates on her stairs, which she calls baby blockers, are the most useful tool in keeping Calynn, now 16 months old, safe. "She loves going up and down the stairs," Mrs. Kissner said. "She just thinks she's doing something so cool."

Additional safety tips

* Latch toilet seats and never leave children unsupervised in the bath. Even an inch of water is enough to drown a small child.

* Avoid drawstrings on clothing as they can be choking hazards.

* Put netting on outdoor balcony railings; children can slip through the bars.

* Don't crowd a crib with too many toys, bumpers and blankets, which can present a suffocation risk.

* Lock up the refrigerator to keep inquisitive toddlers away from glass jars and grown-up food.

* Place padding around stone fireplace hearths.

Sources: Michael Hixson, KidSafe Inc; and Angela Mickalide, Home Safety Council

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