Each year, hundreds of children younger than age 1 in the United States die because of injuries, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Most of these deaths can be prevented with proper safety precautions.

Children are extremely active and curious and learn quickly, even at a very young age. Therefore, it is essential that parents take steps to childproof their home as a means of reducing the risk of potential injury to a child.

Parents can begin to provide a safe environment for their child even before birth. It is easy for adults to overlook many features of the home that may pose potential safety hazards. Crawling around the house on one’s hands and knees can provide better insight into the potential hazards that may exist for a baby.

Many types of alterations around the home are considered essential to increasing child safety. Doorknob covers should be installed to prevent children from turning the door handle, and guards should be installed to keep children from pinching their fingers. Cabinets should be secured with safety latches, especially if they contain potentially hazardous substances.

All windows above the first floor should have operable window guards, because children can fall from windows that are open as little as 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) wide. Window guards should be too difficult for children to open, but easy for parents to open in case of a fire. Safety locks or covers should also be placed on toilets, dishwashers, ovens and stoves, and stove knobs.

Bookshelves and other stand-alone furniture should be secured to prevent the risk of it tipping over. Sharp-edged furniture should be removed from or covered in any room where the child is going to play. Unused electrical outlets should be covered with safety plugs, and excess electrical cord should be bound with twist ties or wound around special spools. Poisonous plants should be removed from the home. These include a wide variety of plants, such as azaleas, daffodils, mistletoe, holly, morning glory and many others.

Walls and floors should be inspected to make sure walls have no peeling or cracking paint, and that rugs are secured to floors or fitted with anti-slip pads. People who live in homes built before 1978 should verify that there is no lead paint in the home, which may cause lead poisoning in children.