A good starting point for most parents-to-be is the electrical system in your home. Your first mission is to cover all outlets with safety covers or plugs, and fasten latches to cabinets with dangerous items inside. While you're at it, put a new battery inside your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Oh, and you might want to consider securing toilet lids, too, as many young children are fascinated with putting objects inside it just to see what will happen!

Don't leave window-blind cords hanging for baby's hands to grab onto; instead, wind them up or buy a product that does it for you. Also, be sure to install window guards, especially if you live in a two-story or high-rise building.

Safer Mobility

Once baby starts becoming mobile, you'll be surprised how quickly grabbing will begin. You might also use door stops to protect your baby from slamming doors, wall anchors to secure TVs and heavy pieces of furniture, padding for sharp edges on furniture, and stair rails with securely positioned foam pieces.

Pool and Water Safety

If you live near a pond or a swimming pool, make sure you keep baby as far away from the water as possible — except if you are swimming together in a shallow pool. If that's the case, then you should definitely use inflatable wings or a life jacket for baby. And never leave a baby unattended in the bathtub — not even for a second!

Keep Poison Away

Lock all harmful chemicals (cleaning solutions, medicines and even some pet supplies) in a baby-proof cabinet — preferably one that's up high and out of baby's immediate reach. If baby should get into something potentially dangerous, contact your local poison control center immediately, even if you aren't sure baby actually consumed anything. Better to be safe than sorry — and better yet to avoid potential dangers altogether by keeping as much as you can out of baby's reach.