What's the Easiest and Least Mentioned Child-Proofing Step You Can Take?

Here is a quick tip or two:

When it comes to child proofing, everyone adds outlet covers.  It's Baby 101.  Some parents install safety gates, corner protectors and cabinet locks.  A simple trick I rarely see mentioned on list of child-proofing steps is turning the nozzle on spray cleaning bottles to 'OFF.'  Yes, I know it's not foolproof.  The littlest ones somehow have the ability to squeeze the trigger, yet won't have the dexterity to turn the dial.  Toddlers may develop the dexterity to turn the dial, but the extra time it takes may delay or confuse them long enough for you stop them before a trip to the emergency room becomes necessary.

The same principles apply to closing the bathroom door, which is where a lot of dangerous compounds are kept in my home.  Just closing the door won't hold them off forever but will thwart their efforts when they are tiny, as well as delay them and possibly alert you when they attempt to breach your defenses when they're a little older.

From No!No!No! to Swastikas

Weird title, right. I know.  The idea for this post came while I was sitting at a fast food restaurant affectionately known around my house as the Monarch.  As my wife and I waited for our order, i noticed that some jack-ass had carved a Swastika into the table.  This restaurant was located in the heart of suburbia near a large county park and oddly enough not far from Wayne Newton's house (no joke).  All this is to say, I don't think a local chapter of any hate group was having a meeting or burger get together.  So more than likely this was the work or indiscretion of bored suburban youths, kids that actually go to good schools.

So were these ne're do wells actual hate mongers?  Probably not.  Teens often do things to get a reaction or to test the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Teenager feel they don't have much control over their lives, so they rebel.  Anyone read Salinger's Catcher in the Rye.  Holden was a little shit.  Teenagers love that book, and consequently many high school English class doors, desks and other flat surfaces wind up with scribbled message in reference to fornication.