Having a child proof home that is safe for the kids is beyond important and safety should be at the forefront when organizing your home.
When the children are little, you need to limit their access to dangerous stuff like cleaning solutions, medication, knives, and so forth. They should be place out of reach or locked up. Locking cabinets are great and give you peace of mind. You can also get child-proof locks to put on individual cabinets and doors to keep the little ones out.
Many people think that child proofing is no longer necessary when the kids reach their teen years. In my opinion it is and medications should always be locked up. Suicide is the third leading cause of death between the ages of 15 to 24 and the fourth leading cause of deaths between the ages of 10 and 14. I think you're better safe than sorry when it comes to locking up dangerous things.
When it comes to child proofing your home to protect breakable things, I suggest that you put keepsakes and values on high shelves when the toddlers are running around, but do put some things within reach and teach them to leave them alone. This type of teaching will be greatly appreciated when you visit homes that are not childproof.
When it comes to organizing ideas, you will find the tips on my room by room page to be enlightening.
