A Babyproof Home Can Be Both Safe And Stylish (NAPSA)—Having a young child can bring a number of changes to your lifestyle, including making your home babyproof. The good news is making your homesafer doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. Nearly 4.5 million children, ages 14 and under, are injured in the home each year, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. Many of these accidents could have been prevented with a few small changes around the hometo prevent unintentional injuries. From moving objects off of low shelves to being sure your plants are nontoxic, there are simple precautions parents can take to make their home toddler-proof. According to child safety and health expert Debra Holtzman, “Fortunately, parents can make changes that keep their baby safe and allow them to continue to enjoy the things they love, like the scent of candles.” Holtzman has teamed up with Febreze Scentstories to provide safety tips designed to keep young ones out of harm’s way. * Candles. Decorative and fragrant candles may be an attractive addition to your home decor, but they can be a seriousfire hazard. An alternative may be products, such as Febreze Scentstories, that can provide true, candlelike scents without the open flame. * Decorative Plants. Two common household plants that are When babyproofing a home, you can still enjoy products that produce the fragrance of scented candles withoutthe flame. frequently ingested by children are dieffenbachia and philodendron, both of which can cause very serious symptoms. These plants contain oxalates, small crystals that get released into the mouth whenthe plant is chewed, causing extreme pain and inflammation. As an alternative, try a spider plant or wandering jew. Both are attractive, non-toxic plants. * Decorative Storage Chests. Suffocation deaths can occur in such places when children crawl inside and cannot escape. Experts say the best choice is a chest without a lid or one with a lightweight, removable one. If a chest closes, make sure it has ventilation holes. For more information, visit www.scentstories.com.
