Health experts weigh in on how best to protect toddlers from household dangers

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Health experts say there is a lot that goes into keeping young children safe and healthy, including choking hazards and protecting against respiratory illnesses. Experts say that they are especially vulnerable, since babies’ bodies are still developing and they are dependent on others. “Babies, most of their shots don't start until after six months, so in that newborn period, we wanna make sure that we are really helping to keep that kind of bubble of safety around the infant when their immune system is really weak,” says Dr. Kisha Davis, a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians Board of Directors. Davis says that parents can lessen their children’s exposure to germs with three cleaning methods at home. This includes cleaning frequently used surfaces with soap and water, sanitizing regularly with a cleaning solution or spray and disinfecting areas with bleach or alcohol once or twice every couple of weeks. “You wanna make sure that you go back over it and wipe it down with some soap and water so that [your babies are] not accidentally injecting ingesting bleach or one of those other chemicals that you might have used to clean,” Davis says. Davis also says to rid the home of visible hazards that may tempt a toddler or crawling infant such as uncovered electrical outlets or vents. Parents should also pick up small objects that can end up in a child’s mouth. Cleaning supplies should also be locked inside of cabinets and out of reach of children, says Davis. "