Go through what you have and throw out what you don't need

Have an old box of lye around? You're probably not ever going to use it, and it's terribly dangerous, so get rid of it. Keep only the products you really use, so that there are fewer things to have to keep locked up.

Keep things locked up

Assemble all your cleaning supplies, and put them in locked cabinets. Don't assume that putting them in a higher cabinet keeps your child safe. Sometimes babies seem to learn to climb overnight, so simply storing items on a higher shelf might not be enough.

Don't store poisons in old food containers

Your baby will learn early on to recognize things like a juice container or baby food jar so don't use empty ones to store hazardous products.

Throw empty containers away outside

Don't put the empty bleach container in the kitchen trash can – rinse it and take it to the outside trash can immediately.

Check your plants

There are many common houseplants that are poisonous, including philodendron, English ivy, holly, mistletoe, and hyacinths, so it's best to remove these or keep them well out of reach.

Some things you might not think of as poisonous

Your cosmetics, over the counter medicines, vitamins, and mothballs can all be poisonous, so keep these locked up or out of the way. Get used to reading labels, so that you can keep tabs on new things that come into the house.

If you've never had children before, keeping up with products that can be poisonous can be a challenge at first. But, take some time, preferably before the baby is born, to sort through your items and store them properly. Then, be diligent about buying the safest items you can. For instance, non-chlorine bleach is safer than chlorine. And, always look for child-proof caps on products you plan to buy. Learn to substitute. Did you know you can use olive oil to polish furniture and vinegar to clean your hardwood floors? These kinds of substitutions can make your home safer, and give you fewer items to look up. And, finally, don't forget to post your local poison control phone number right by the phone. It could save your child's life.