Tip 1: Don’t just shop for “plastic,” because not all plastics are created equal
So true! Ever had indestructible plastic glasses that last from year to year, while others break the first time they’re dropped? How about plastic dishes that scratch like crazy after a few uses? What about plastic plates that overheat after just seconds in the microwave — or glasses that clouded in the dishwasher?

Though frustrating, these common issues aren’t really defects in the plastic, they’re just differences. More than a half-dozen types of plastic are used to make tableware – from unbreakable Tritan and budget-friendly SAN, to scratch-resistant Melamine and decorative Acrylic. Each offers its own benefits and drawbacks.

Knowing how different plastics perform and how to tell them apart when shopping can ensure that the plastic dishes, glasses and serving pieces you choose best meet your needs. Tips two and three will help you do just that.

Tip 2: Decide on the features that matter to you before shopping
Shopping for plastic tableware would be a cinch if a single plastic offered it all –unbreakable, scratchproof, dishwasher and microwave-safe. Unfortunately, that plastic is not yet invented. So of the plastics that do exist, which option is right for you?

Do unbreakable, dishwasher-safe products top your list? If so, spending a little more on unbreakable Tritan or Polycarbonate plastic items is well worth the years of use you’ll enjoy. For a little less, SAN plastic products are almost as durable, and casual looks in Polypropylene are equally durable and very inexpensive. Avoid anything in Acrylic or Polystyrene.

Are scratched dishes your pet peeve? Then Melamine dishes are your best choice for long-term satisfaction. But you’ll have to forego the convenience of microwave heating.

Are microwave-safe dishes a must? The selection is slimmer, but there are some choices in plastics made specifically for the microwave. Look for dishes under the brand names Nordic Ware, Miracleware and ExtremeWare – and avoid products made from Melamine, Acrylic and Polystyrene.

Are you drawn to decorative or themed dishes? Trendy designs and seasonal themes are widely available in plastic tableware. Very decorative glasses are generally crafted in Acrylic, but be prepared to hand wash to keep them looking their best. You’ll also find plenty of decorative and themed designs in durable easy-care Melamine dinnerware.

Is cost more important than longevity? Inexpensive seasonal Acrylic and Polystyrene tableware is plentiful on store shelves. But with plastics, you do get what you pay for. These low-cost styles won’t hold up under impact or in the dishwasher for much more than a season or two.

Tip 3: Know what you’re buying – even if the label doesn’t tell you
You now know that the plastics used to make tableware vary indeed, and which type best meets your needs. So how do you tell if a plastic glass is made of SAN or Acrylic? How do you spot Melamine dishes? And what the heck is Polypropylene, anyway?

If shopping online with a reputable seller like KidSmartLiving.com, product information will include plastic types, features and care. If you’re on a site that doesn’t provide these details you may want to shop elsewhere as that seller may not know, or stand behind, their product. In-store shopping can be a bit trickier because not all plastic products are clearly labeled by type. There you’ll need to know a bit more than the label tells you.

Unbreakable products in Tritan and Polycarbonate plastic are easy to identify because they’re generally labeled as “Unbreakable” and “Dishwasher-safe” to offset their higher price tag. Tritan items are also labeled “BPA-free.” Both plastics are generally found in glass-like clear or tinted drinkware and dishes.

Unbreakable, dishwasher-safe products in Polypropylene plastic are easy to identify, too. They’re always opaque or semi-opaque, think Tupperware, and have a rubbery feel unlike any other plastic. These products also tend to be low priced.

Labeling on Melamine dishes varies, but that’s not a problem if you know what to look for. All melamine dishes are opaque – never see-through – and have a rigid feel. Because of melamine’s durability and scratch-resistance, it’s the most common plastic used to make dishes and can be found in a huge variety of colors and decorative designs. Melamine dishes are dishwasher-safe, but not microwave-safe, so melamine dishes are almost always marked “Not Intended for Microwave Use.”

Plastic dishes and cookware made from microwave-safe plastics are always clearly labeled “Microwave-safe” because that’s their major selling point. These items are always dishwasher-safe and sometimes oven-safe, too.

Glasses and dishes made from Acrylic, Polystyrene and SAN plastics are rarely labeled by type, but you can tell them apart. Though shatterproof, they’re not truly unbreakable, so you won’t see that on the label. The major difference is the care. SAN plastic products are dishwasher- and microwave reheat-safe, and usually labeled as such. Polystyrene products are generally labeled “Top Rack Dishwasher-safe,” while Acrylic products are almost always “Hand Wash.”

Tip 4: Care matters! Enjoy your plastic tableware for years
As plastics differ so does their care, but you can extend the life and looks of even the least expensive products if you treat them right.

In the dishwasher, a good rule of thumb for any plastic glasses – even those marked “Dishwasher-safe” – is to wash on a normal, unheated cycle. Some dishwashers heat water excessively in certain cycles, so a normal setting is always the best bet.

Items labeled “Top Rack Dishwasher-safe” should be placed in the top rack, away from the heating element at the bottom – with one exception. Some Melamine dishes are labeled “Top Rack Dishwasher-safe,” but they won’t fit in the top rack. These are fine to wash in the bottom rack on an air-dry setting.

Items labeled “Hand Wash” really should be washed by hand. These products will quickly crackle or cloud if exposed to dishwasher heat and detergents.

Abrasive cleaners or scrubbers should not be used on any clear plastic glasses or plates as they will, without exception, scratch. Melamine plates hold up to most scrubber sponges.

Tip 5: Ignore the #7 recycling symbol – it doesn’t identify specific plastics
Last, save yourself some shopping frustration. Don’t rely on recycling numbers – those little numbers in a triangle on some plastic items – to identify plastics. In fact, these numbers don’t even appear on many plastic tableware items. Why? It’s simple, they’re not disposable.

Recycling numbers, officially known as SPI codes, are intended to identify commonly disposed plastics so they can be efficiently recycled – that’s all. The #7 code is a catchall number used for the non-recyclable plastics – and that includes many plastics used to make long-lasting tableware.

Contrary to some media stories, the #7 code does not denote an unsafe plastic. Anyone suggesting that all plastic items with the #7 code are unsafe because they contain the chemical BPA simply did not do their homework. Most good-quality plastics, including Melamine, Acrylic, SAN, Tritan and even biodegradable Eco-plastics all fall under the #7 code, and not one of them contains BPA.

Polycarbonate is the only tableware plastic that contains BPA. If media reports on BPA concern you, just avoid polycarbonate products. Products made from Tritan plastic offer the same benefits as polycarbonate, without BPA.

So whatever your tableware needs, from unbreakable plastic glasses for outdoors, to durable dishes for everyday, to decorative styles inspired by the season, there’s surely a plastic available that meets your needs. Armed with these tips, you shouldn’t have any problem finding it.

Flat, Gloss, Eggshell... Oh, My! Which Paints are Best for Busy Family Homes?

Over the years, customers and website visitors have asked our opinion on the best paint types and finishes for busy family spaces, nurseries and kid’s rooms. While we’re not professional painters, many at KidSmartLiving.com seem to make a hobby of painting our homes, so we feel qualified to tackle this question. 

Happily, it’s an easy answer… 

Since paint formulation and finish have as much impact on long-term satisfaction as color choice, selecting durable paints with easy-clean finishes is key.  Here’s a look at the basic differences between interior paints commonly found in home improvement stores, plus some low-maintenance ideas for painting high-traffic areas and busy kid spaces. 

The Basics: Interior Paint Types and Finishes
Water-based latex and oil-based enamel are the two most common paint types used for home interiors. Oil-based paints were once considered to have a more durable, easier-clean finish than latex, but that’s no longer the case. Today’s fast-drying water-based latex paints rate higher in scrubability than oil-based paint, and that’s not all. Latex paint emits far fewer smelly VOC’s (volatile organic chemicals) than oil-based paint, making it the ideal choice for busy family homes. 

Interior paints also come in several finishes, referred to as “sheen,” which describes the amount of reflection or shine the painted surface has when dry. Listed here from the lowest sheen to the highest sheen, paint finishes range from; matte, flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, gloss. Semi-gloss and gloss are usually reserved for trim and cabinetry while walls generally are painted in a less glossy finish, usually flat or eggshell. 

Durability and Cleaning: It’s in the Finish.. or is it?
Years ago, satin or semi-gloss wall finishes were popular for dirt-prone high traffic areas since they were easier to clean. But nowadays, decorator-inspired flat and eggshell wall finishes are far more popular and paint manufacturers have responded in kind. Lower sheen finishes are now formulated to be as scrubbable and easy to clean as the semi-gloss of old, so there’s no need to sacrifice style for cleanability. 

Faux Finishes: Worry-Free Solutions for Busy Spaces
Faux finishes such as ragging or sponging are fun, creative and very livable options for kids rooms and other busy family spaces. Along with the variety of textures you can create, faux finishes tend to hide dirt and fingerprints. And if disaster strikes in the form of a crayon, it’s easy to camouflage with a few strategic sponge pats. When painting a base coat to faux finish over, choose a satin or semi-gloss which won’t absorb the top coat too quickly, allowing you to get creative with the faux layer. 

Our Faves?
Regardless of finish, our hands-down favorites are Home Depot’s Behr Premium Plus and Premium Plus Ultra (with the built-in primer) – both offer great coverage, durability and cleanability and are priced well. In fact, Consumer Reports 2011 agrees with us  and lists these Behr paints as a top value.  We also love Sherwin Williams’ ProClassic Semi-Gloss for trim, especially if painting over an oil-based paint — it’s expensive but goes a long, long way.

Here are a few tips for setting a kid-friendly table that keeps kids put, and content, so you can enjoy your meal. 

Start with Kid-Friendly Tableware
The last thing anyone wants to do during a festive meal is clean up broken glasses or dishes, so choose kid’s dinnerware wisely. Plastic or disposable dinnerware  is (or should be) acceptable for kids even in formal settings. Another dinnerware option is Bambu disposable dinnerware, made of, you guessed it, bamboo. They even have sporks! Bambu is the year’s hottest earth-friendly dinnerware item. Or consider using durable plastic dinnerware. Melamine dinnerware styles offer the look of better ceramics, while acrylic glasses add a festive touch, without the worry.

Pictured: Venetian Melamine Dinnerware and Pearlessence Acrylic Glasses

Capture Their Attention with the Unexpected
Make kids feel special at the kid’s table with a creative placecard.  Here we’ve used mini pumpkins, which they can continue to decorate after the meal. Small toys or stuffed animals with kid’s names or holding little name cards are good options too.

Take a Tip from Busy Restaurants
Cover the kid’s table with kraft or butcher paper and let kids draw or decorate with crayons, markers, stamps and stickers before and after the meal. Or buy some holiday-themed coloring books and assemble your own restaurant-style coloring placemats, complete with a small bundle of crayons for each child.

Turn the Kid’s Table into the Craft Corner
If kids are old enough to use markers and glue sticks, holiday-themed projects such as Indian headbands, turkeys, wreaths, or woven paper placemats can keep them happily occupied while you enjoy your meal. You can find precut ornament kits at any craft store, too. Or just provide construction paper, craft foam or felt o kids can make their own creations

Happy Thanksgiving.. and if you have any great kid-corralin’ ideas of your own, please share!

Can you really rely on recycling numbers when shopping for BPA-Free plastic tableware?

A popular plastic, polycarbonate, has been the focus of  recent media stories questioning whether the chemical BPA, used in this particular plastic, is safe for use in plastic glasses and dishes. 

In truth, the the facts, science, pros and cons behind the BPA question could fill a lengthy article. But if you’re a concerned shopper, you probably aren’t  too into scientific arguements… you just want to know how to avoid BPA. Unfortunately, the media reports about polycarbonate and other types of  plastic are a bit conflicting, making  it tough to  choose plastic dishes with confidence.

Happily, we can offer a little peace of mind. There are many different plastics used to make quality plastic dishes and glasses, and most have always been BPA-Free! But you need to know what to look for, and what to avoid. Here are a few tips to help you in your search:

Tip 1: In Plastic Tableware, if it’s not Polycarbonate, it’s BPA-Free
Among the many different plastics used to make glasses, cups and dishes, only ONE contains BPA, and that’s polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is FDA-approved for food use and is usually found in better quality, unbreakable, dishwasher-safe plastic tableware. It’s often clear or tinted, feels rigid, and appears glass-like. 

But it’s not the only type of plastic used in plastic tableware. Acrylic, an acrylic blend called SAN, Tritan co-polyester and even corn-based bioplastics are all used to make clear, glass-like items similar to polycarbonate. Plus, opaque plastics like melamine and polypropylene are used to make a variety of dinnerware. Unlike polycarbonate, these other plastics are, and always have been, BPA-free. So, if the BPA question worries you, look for items made of these other plastics instead of polycarbonate.

Tip 2: How to tell if an item is made of polycarbonate… or not
Identifying plastic tableware by the label can be discouraging since items are not always marked by plastic type. Your best bet is to shop somewhere that clearly identifies the type of plastic used in products, like on KidSmartLiving.com.

If shopping in a store where product information is scarce, first look for items labeled “BPA-free.” With media attention on BPA, many manufacturers are clearly labeling their non-polycarbonate plastic items “BPA-Free.” These include acrylic, SAN, or Tritan for clear items, and rigid melamine or rubbery polypropylene for solid or semi-opaque items.

If not labeled BPA-Free, look at the care instructions. In clear and tinted plastics, acrylic items are generally marked “Hand-wash,” or “Top-rack Dishwasher-safe,” while most SAN items are marked “Dishwasher-safe” and sometimes “Microwave-safe.” But these plastics aren’t usually labeled “Unbreakable.” Unlike polycarbonate, acrylic and SAN can break.

In solid-color plastic items, you’ll rarely find polycarbonate on store shelves. Solid-color plastic dishes are more commonly made from melamine and marked “Not for Microwave Use.” Polypropylene is also used for solid and semi-opaque dishes, and is easily identified by its rubbery feel.

The only clear tableware plastics you’ll find labeled “Unbreakable, Dishwasher-Safe” and occasionally “Microwave-safe” are Tritan and polycarbonate. Luckily for shoppers, being BPA-free is a major selling point for Tritan, so these items are always labeled as such. If a clear or tinted glass-like item is labeled “Unbreakable, Dishwasher-Safe” but is not marked “BPA-Free,” it’s probably polycarbonate.

Tip 3: Don’t count on the numbers… because they don’t count for identifing these plastics
Contrary to some media reports, the recycling numbers printed on plastic items don’t specifically identify polycarbonate or BPA-free plastics. In fact, it’s the reverse. Almost all non-disposable tableware plastics fall under the same catchall #7 recycling code, which simply means ”Other.”

“Other” plastics are usually durable and have a longer useful life than disposable plastics, so they’re not collected in most recycling programs. These widely different #7 plastics include acrylic, SAN, Tritan, bio-plastics, melamine — and polycarbonate.

Even more confusing, recycling codes aren’t required for “Other” plastics and many of these items don’t carry a recycling mark at all. So, knowing how to tell these plastics apart, or shopping with a reliable seller, is really much more helpful than relying on the numbers when it comes to buying BPA-free plastic dinnerware.

KidSmartLiving.com carries just about the largest selection of high-quality plastic glasses and dishes in the nation, so we’re definitely keeping up with the BPA story. To make finding BPA-free plastic tableware even easier for our customers, we list all of our BPA-Free plastic products on one page.

Please let us know if you have any plastic dinnerware shopping tips or comments on the BPA issue.

Decorate a Safe, Festive Christmas Tree
As the centerpiece of the holiday home, Christmas tree safety is a primary concern. The tree should be set in a stable stand and can be further secured by tying twine or fishing line from the upper trunk to a hook on the closest wall. Tree needles can be a choking hazard for small children, so check a live tree closely for shedding needles, try to keep the floor clear of dropped needles, and remember to keep the tree well watered to retain freshness.

Traditional Christmas tree decorations can pose child safety risks, but parents have several safer decorating options. If using lights, wrap strands close to the trunk, well away from little hands. Pre-lit artificial trees usually have well-secured lights, so these are a safer choice if going artificial. Garlands and ribbon streamers, too, should be placed out of reach of small children because of choking and tree-tipping dangers. Fragile glass balls and ornaments, including any with small pieces, can be securely tied high on the tree, but avoid using tinsel icicles and hook-style ornament hangers around small children, as both pose choking risks.

Deck the Hall… Safely!
Parents can comfortably decorate with swags of boughs, garlands and lights placed well out of reach over doorways and in other high areas, with electrical cords secured to the wall and plugged into inaccessible outlets wherever possible. When decorating a stairway in a home with children three years old or younger, avoid wrapping boughs, garlands or light strands around the stair railing or banister. These decorations pose the risk of choking or strangulation, and they also can make the stairs inviting to play on and railings difficult for small hands to grip. For a safer holiday touch, securely tie individual decorative bows or other durable accents onto the railing or banister, on the side away from the stairs.

Decorate child-accessible areas on the tree appropriately for children’s ages. Some kid-tough ornaments to consider include mini frames made from fun foam, felt, or fabric; cloth-covered foam balls, canes and other shapes; solid wood shapes; and fabric bows.

Remember to check gifts under the tree for wrappings that may be dangerous, such as tied-on ornaments and stretchy elastic cording. For added safety around the Christmas tree, a versatile child safety gate such as KidCo’s Configure Gate or Hearth Gate can be installed to keep little ones at a safe distance.

Festive, Kid-Smart Holiday Home Trimmings
Parents can easily decorate child-accessible areas throughout the house using child-friendly items with a festive twist. Consider topping a coffee table with durable wooden bowls filled with colorful children’s blocks, or quilted holiday baskets spilling festive fabric-covered foam balls. Other kid-friendly holiday décor ideas include tough acrylic candy dishes filled with holiday cookies, and carved wooden figures and charming toys tied with bright holiday bows. A children’s wooden nativity scene can make a homey, worry-free holiday centerpiece in any room, and a child-safe dash of holiday color can be added to sofas using piles of festive holiday pillows.

Add Holiday Color with Throw Pillows or Slip-on Covers
Pillows are great, worry-free way to safely add festive color and pop to a room frequented by toddlers. Switch out everyday throw pillows for seasonal colors – or look for inexpensive pillowcovers in to slip over your everyday pillows. Bed, Bath & Beyond offers a line of removable throw pillow covers in standard throw sizes. Or you can make your own no-sew pillow covers out of festive fleece patterns. See our super-easy No-Sew Fleece Pillow Project for instructions.

Kid-Smart Entertaining and Durable Holiday Table Styles
Families can enjoy festive and elegant dinner tables even in a home full of active kids. It’s easy to adorn holiday tables and buffets with plastic dinnerware, drinkware and serving pieces in styles that mimic the beauty of fine glass, ceramic and porcelain – without the danger of breakage. And make the Kid’s table the best seat in the house with ways to serve little ones in style – and keep them happy while you enjoy dinner, too!

Child Safety On-the-Go
If spending the holidays away from home, parents with small children should take a quick moment to rearrange for safety upon arrival. Consider packing a few portable childproofing devices such as removable cabinet locks, electrical outlet covers and a pressure-mounted gate like KidCo’s Center Gateway. If playing host this season, ask houseguests to keep medicines and toiletries safely hidden out of children’s reach, or consider clearing an inaccessible shelf for guests’ use. A careful moment will make holiday visits safer for children and more relaxing for all. See our Child Safety on the Go Checklist entry for more tips on traveling with little tykes.

Home Safety Never Takes a Holiday
Whether celebrating baby’s first Christmas or maintaining a home full of busy older kids, all parents should remember that safety never takes a holiday. But a little caution and creative planning can make an inviting, safe and stylish home easy to achieve for merry family holidays.

My inner skeptic was quickly silenced w­hen, in use, these items stood up to any mixing, pouring or dumping we dished out. Though the walls of the collapsible bowls, colanders and measuring cups we tested are flexible, they’re formed in rigid, high-heat food-grade polypropylene plastic which makes them very sturdy and self-supporting when expanded. Plus, it’s fun to pop collapsible bowls and colanders up and down, making them a perfect lure to get kids into the kitchen to help out.

Leading kitchen goods brands Progressive and Chef’n listened to cooks’ storage woes and responded beautifully with a new breed of cleverly designed colanders, bowls and measuring tools that flatten for easy storage. Combining rigid rims and bases for stability together with flexible sides, collapsibles fold accordion-style from full height down to about an inch tall — or less. So, instead of nesting or wedging bulky full-sized items into tight spaces, busy cooks can simply collapse them down to store wherever convenient.

Even better, collapsible cooking tools are designed to fit in the dishwasher in their flattened state, making space-wasting bulky loads and hand-washing large items things of the past.

I must admit that flexible-sided mixing bowls and measuring cups sounded a bit flimsy to me when first introduced. So, when testing collapsible tools for our product reviews, I gave them a thorough run in our kitchens, subjecting them to plenty of boiling pasta, thick batters, and of course, my assistant chef, age 9.

Needless to say, I was a quick convert to collapsible kitchen tools, especially since my home’s kitchen is anything but spacious. Collapsible colanders, bowls and measuring tools are a great solution for any cook looking to save a lot space or simply add convenience in any kitchen.-kf

It’s easy to achieve kid-smart style by choosing decorative accents designed in tip-resistant shapes and crafted in durable, break-resistant materials. Here are a few kid-friendly decorating tips to get you started…

Vases and Containers
To reduce tipping, select containers and accents that feature a substantial base and avoid top-heavy vases and floral arrangements. Square containers are naturally tip-resistant, (always check for sharp corners) and offer the added benefit of not rolling off the table if pulled over by curious hands, as do oval, oblong and rectangular shapes. Bowls and such that are wider at the bottom than the top are an ideal shape to resist tipping.

Bowls
Large, low wooden decorative bowls (not too heavy) can be a good selection as they tend to roll back to an upright position when upset. Also look for bowls comprised of straight sides, such as octagons, that inhibit rolling if turned on the side.

Look for Durable Materials
Wood, metal, polymer clay, fabric, woven and even glass-like acrylic containers and accents are available in a wide range of looks, and offer a safer and more durable alternative to glass and ceramic decor. When selecting accents that will be accessible by little hands, do check for sharp edges, corners or any loose weave, just to keep little ones safe.

Decorative Details to Keep Out-of-Reach

Handles
Containers with handles pose several problems. Handles just beg to be grabbed by little hands and make it easier to pull or carry a object, which creates potential for breakage and injury. Also, handles often are weak points on an object and are easily broken.

Footed Objects
Many wonderful containers sit atop tiny feet that lift the base an inch or so off the surface. These can pose a problem for two reasons; one, the space is the perfect invitation for little fingers to hook the object and give it a tug. Two, like handles, feet often are weak points on an object and are easily broken, and if broken off, can pose a choking hazard.

Twisted Wire and Wrought Iron
Open, curly-cue designs made from twisted wire and wrought iron are inviting spots to stick little fingers, and once hooked are easily pulled off a table. Plus, little fingers can get stuck or pinched in the tight spots where wires meet.

Top-Heavy Vases
Low, wide, roll and break-resistant shapes are the name of the game for tabletop décor accessible by curious hands. Elegant slim-footed vases should be displayed on an inaccessible shelf.

Visited a baby superstore lately? You’ll agree there are ALOT of childproofing products to choose from – and many of them seem to do the same thing, just a bit differently than their counterparts. So what’s a new parent or parent-to-be to do?

Our suggestion (after 10+ years in the business of baby safety) is to take a look at what safety hazards childproofing and babyproofing professionals focus on, and what items they commonly install in homes on a daily basis. Happily, the common safety hazards can be safeguarded using a relatively small number of childproofing essentials.

This list outlines the most common child safety hazards that every parent should address before babies start to crawl.

Electrical Safety: Outlet plugs should never be exposed. Use Plug Caps or replace covers with Self-Closing Covers. For exposed outlets that are in constant use — say, for a lamp — use a box-type cover to secure the outlet and plug. Cords and power strips should be secured out of reach if possible. If exposed, secure using cord covers, winders or power strip covers.

Windows & Blind Safety: Windows should be securely closed or blocked using stoppers so they can’t open past 2-3″. Drapery and blind cords are a strangulation risk, use Winders or Cord Anchors to keep cords out of reach, and separate cords that are attached at the pull, forming a loop.

Drawer & Cabinet Safety: The safest childproofing solution is to move hazardous items, chemicals, etc… to out-of-reach areas. For cabinets and drawers you don’t want little hands to explore, Cabinet and Drawer Locks are very effective. These come in many styles, from magnet release, to hardware installed, to removable handle latches. Hardware-mounted locks with a no-pinch feature are often the preferred choice.

Furniture, Electronics & Appliance Safety: Kids love to pull up and climb, so furniture and TV’s pose a great threat. Even a mid-size bookshelf or TV can injure or kill small children. Secure any tall, heavy or tip-prone pieces with Furniture, TV and Electronics Straps. Appliance doors can be secured quickly with Appliance Locks and Straps to help keep curious hands out.

Door Safety: Doors can be secured with a variety of locks designed for different knob and door types: Snap-on Doorknob Covers, Lever Locks, Bifold Door Locks, Sliding Door Stops and Flip Locks. Help prevent pinched fingers by using Slide-on Door Guards on doors that stay open. Replace all 2-piece doorstops with 1-Piece Doorstops since the cap is a choking hazard.

Toilet Locks: Eww! Install a lock to keep hands out of this no-play zone!

Fireplace, Hearth & Heating Stove Safety: Options range from barring access completely with a Hearth Gate (a must for heating stoves), or installing locks and hearth padding to prevent injury. Regardless of the choice, children should be watched closely around hot stoves and fireplaces.

Balcony, Landing & Loft Safety: If railing spindle openings are 4″ apart or more, a banister shield is recommended. Also move any toys, furniture — or anything else that can be climbed — away from railings and half walls.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO2) Detectors: Smoke detectors should be installed by every sleeping area in the home. One CO2 Detector should be located on each floor. Check batteries on Spring and Fall time changes!

Have babies or toddlers? Print our Tips for Creating a Family Friendly Home worksheet to help ensure that common safety hazards are addressed… and find more childproofing solutions on our Childproofing and Safety Gate Checklists.

2. Choose Furniture Wisely: When buying new furnishings, consider the care requirements of the style and finish. For upholstered items, finished leather is quite durable, and many new fabrics offer more durability and stain resistance than ever before. In furniture, glass top tables and glass doors are never a great choice in homes with kids, neither are highly polished woods – unless you enjoy dusting fingerprints throughout the day.

3. Add Pop with Pillows: When baby starts pulling up, you’ll find that some favorite décor items can no longer take center stage. If your room feels bare, add punch with great-looking throw pillows. One of the easiest, quickest and least expensive decorating solutions, pillows create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere than can pull the elements of a room together – safely!

4. Hit a Decorating Wall? Use it! Pull out the stud finder and learn to use wall anchors… wall mounted shelves, sconces, ledges and lamps offer an array of safer, out-of-reach decorating solutions in homes with small children.

5. The Drape Escape: Window coverings pose notable safety hazards, but happily most blind cord hazards are easily managed with winders and anchors. If long window treatments are a fixture in your home, the best child safety remedy is to ensure that the hanging bars and hardware systems are securely installed into the wooden studs surrounding the window or door. See our online article: The Drape Escape for more on window decor safety.

6. Storage Strategies: Storage needs multiply rapidly when children arrive. Decorative baskets and boxes can be very helpful in storing hideaway items. Stack these on top of entertainment centers, armoires or high shelves — away from little hands. More durable storage boxes can become stylish and accessible “toy boxes” when filled and placed under the coffee table, on the hearth, in a corner, or under a side table – just make sure lids aren’t heavy!

7. Kitchen Safety and Style – Go Plastic!: Today’s easy-care plastics let parents create a table equally inviting to all family members and guests, even ones with less-than-grownup dexterity. Durable plastic tableware – from tumblers and plates to wine stems and serving bowls – instantly kid-proofs the table in shatterproof style. Many of the better, restaurant-quality plastics are great in the dishwasher and some can even be microwaved.