Accidents, most of which are preventable, are the leading cause of death for children. Young kids have the highest risk of being injured at home because that's where they spend most of their time, which is why you should childproof your home before your infant is becoming mobile (around six months of age).

When was the last time you crawled around your home on your hands and knees? Probably not since you were a young child but it may be time again to try it again. Your house is new and worthy of exploration to young eyes, which is why it's crucial to get down on the floor and see things from your little one's perspective.

Take preventive measures to protect your child from common household dangers before you bring a newborn home from the hospital. After that, review your safety measures every six months to make sure your child has not outgrown or outsmarted any of them. Remember that no safety device outweighs the importance of adult supervision but adding smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to your home is a good idea. It will also be a wise decision to use safety gates at the top and bottom or stairs and in the doorways of rooms with hazards. Use doorknob covers to keep children away from rooms and other areas with hazards, such as swimming pools. Select those that are easy for adults to use in case of emergency. Install safety latches on cabinets and drawers to keep children from potentially poisonous household products, which of course should be properly labeled.

Supervision is always the best remedy for keeping kids safe -- in the home and out. However, even the most watchful parents can't keep children, especially babies and toddlers, from learning to explore their world, completely out of harm's way every second of the day. For this reason, it is wise to learn some simple steps you can take when accidents do happen in your home. If you're expecting a baby or you already have a child, it's a good idea to:

1. Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich Maneuver (to prevent choking).

2. Keep the following near the phone (for yourself and caregivers):
€ Toll-free poison-control number
€ Child's doctor's number
€ Parents' work and cell phone numbers
€ Neighbor's or nearby relative's number (if you need someone to watch other children in the event of an emergency)

3. Put together a first-aid kit and keep emergency instructions inside.

Remember that childproofing your home can never be 100% effective against injury, which is why it's so important to supervise your children and use safety devices that can minimize the possibility of an accident occurring in your own home.