Small children seem to have an insatiable appetite for exploring, but little or no understanding of danger. If you have an active infant or toddler, you know that these traits can often lead to trouble. As a matter of fact, statistics show that home accidents account for more children's injuries and fatalities than all childhood diseases combined.

Here are a few steps you can take to insure your children's safety. Coupled with your own awareness and constant vigilance, these procedures might help you coach your kids through childhood without any heart-wringing emergency room visits. The specialized hardware shown can be purchased at building supply dealers or children's specialty stores.

Be sure to:

• Lock up all poisons and dangerous objects. Eliminate clutter and store prized possessions. Keep all tools organized and out of children's reach.

• Turn down your water temperature to a maximum of 120 degrees.

• Put sleeves on doorknobs to bar toddlers from dangerous areas. Also utilize door and window locks, but be sure older children can get them open in an emergency.

• Discuss emergency escape routes and procedures with all family members. Keep escape ladders near second-story emergency exits. Put emergency numbers on or next to the phone, where family members and babysitters can find them.

• Install a smoke detector on each floor of your house, adjacent to bedrooms, in any stairwell, and in living/dining area. This is important for the entire family's safety.

• Replace outlet covers (that kids can reach) with protective covers. For unused outlets, smaller plastic outlet plugs guard children from accidental shock.

• Check crib bar spacing. It should be no greater than 2 3/8". Be sure all baby gear meets the standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (write for information: Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207).

• Put childproof latches on cabinet doors and drawers-- particularly those containing dangerous or fragile objects.

• Install baby gates at doorways where needed, and at top and bottom of stairways.

• Pad sharp furniture or counter edges with foam tape. Put corner protectors on sharp edges. Eliminate or tape-down loose rugs or electrical cords that might trip children.

• Enclose open deck railings with welded wire mesh. Just cut it with tin snips, nail or staple in place, file off sharp ends. Substitute acrylic sheets for interior railings.

• Fence-in swimming pool and other dangerous areas. For enclosing a pool, fence height should be at least 4 feet-- better 5 feet. Be sure to provide a self-closing, self-latching gate.

• Check outdoor play equipment. Cut off protruding bolts, tighten loose nuts, put non-slip coating on slippery slide steps, replace hard swing seats with soft material, provide soft ground cover, anchor support legs.

• Secure curtain cords to tie-down or cleat on wall

• Close-up open ballusters by installing canvas or acrylic panels along them.

• Install door or window safety locks or hardware (older children must be able to open)

• Child Safety: Various Stages of Child Development

• Child Safety: Working With Babysitters

• Household Emergency Preparedness