Share
PrintParent to Parent: Kids home safety
When Jen Maher moved in to her new home, she made sure to child-proof the house.
Jen Maher, mom
"I really thought we had done everything, you know as precautions for safety."
But one afternoon, that safety was shattered.
Jen Maher, mom
"I was in the kitchen and I heard this horrific scream and thump."
Jen's two-year-old daughter Audrey had pushed a third floor window screen out, and fell 30 feet.
Incredibly, the toddler landed on soft ground and on her diaper, and had no serious injuries.
Jen Maher, mom
"I honestly believe that it was a miracle. I believe there was an angel with her that day."
From that day in, Jen made it her mission to teach other parents about the hidden dangers at home.
She teamed up with safety experts to get the word out.
Alison Rhodes, home safety expert
"You need to make sure you have window guards on all of the windows that are above the first floor, you have gates at all the staircases. You want to look at any electrical outlets, make sure they're covered."
Certain rooms, like the kitchen, with its sharp utensils, require extra attention when kids are around.
Alison Rhodes, home safety expert
"So you want to have one drawer that's kind of safe for them, where they have Tupperware or something that they can play with, but all the other cabinets should be locked off."
Bathrooms also pose a danger.
Alison Rhodes, home safety expert
"You have to make sure that you have toilet guards, locks on your toilet, but if you're giving your baby a bath, never leave your child, even for a second."
For homes with swimming pools, an extra word of caution.
Alison Rhodes, home safety expert
"If you have a pool, make sure its completely encircled by a fence. It's really important to have alarms on doors, especially if you do have a pool, you need to know if your child is going in or out."
Jen knows how lucky her family is and hopes her story serves as a warning to other parents.
Jen Maher, mom
"It was the realization of how close you came to losing a child. I just don't want anyone else to go through that."