"Granpa! Granpa!" yelled 2-year-old Jacob as he launched himself off the porch and into my arms.

"Oof!"

"Just a moment, let me fasten Jacobs car seat in the back of your car," said my son.  "Dad, you had better come over here and look at what I've done.  I've reversed the front buckle, so that it is harder to unhook. 

"Why is that?"  I asked. 

"Jacob doesn't like the restraints, and unhooks them,"

"I guess we could put the seat up front, that way Jacob can get a better view," I said.

"Oh no you can't." said my son.  The law is specific.  He has to ride in the back seat.  Infant car seats have to face backwards.  Jacob is a toddler so the law allows him to face forward."

"What if he starts Crying?"

"Too bad.  It's either let him cry or get fined."

My son took Jacob and carefully strapped him into the car seat.  "I want you to know that the fine is $75 in Oregon, and $86 in Washington if he isn't properly strapped in.  Try to be careful."

My wife slid into the backseat next to her Grandson. "I'm riding in back with him.  This way I will make sure that he's buckled up."

The trip home was fairly uneventful.   My Grandson was delighted with his Grandmother sitting next to him and they chatted with each other during the entire trip.

"Look Jacob! See the Cow," said Grandma.

"Moo mooo" replied my 2 year old Grandson..

"No, no Jacob.  You have to keep your straps on to stay safe.  We don't want to get a police man mad at us." said Grandma.

"Moo mooo" replied my 2 year old Grandson as he worked at his seat straps.

"No Jacob!  Look at that dog!"

"Woof; moo moo."

We finally pulled up into our driveway and I went in back and tried to release Jacob from his child restraints.   I twisted, I pulled, I strained and muttered some things that I hoped my Grandson didn't hear, and if he did hear, wouldn't repeat.  It was frustrating. Fortunately my two year old knew where the release was and showed me how to work it.

We were pleased that the car seat hurtle was overcome, and we took our very active two year old into our newly child proofed home.

Earlier, I had obtained some information from the US Consumer Products Safety Commission (USCPS) on child proofing.  They have a web presence at www.cpsc.gov, their page on home child safety devices is: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/GRAND/12steps/12steps.html

They say that 2 ½ million children are injured or killed by hazards in the home each year. USCPS suggest 12 things that will enhance home safety for small children.
1.  Safety latches and locks
2.  Safety Gates on stairs and dangerous areas
3   Doorknob covers
4.  Anti Scald Devices.  Turn water temps down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
5.  Smoke Detectors.
6.  Window Guards and Safety netting to help prevent falls from windows and balconies, decks, etc.
7.  Corner and Edge Bumpers to help prevent injuries from falls against sharp edges of furniture and fireplaces.
8.   Outlet covers and outlet plates to help prevent electrocution.
9.   A Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector. 
10. Cut Window blind cords; use Safety tassels and Inner Cord Stops to prevent children from strangling in blind cord loops.
11.  Door Stops and Door Holders to prevent injuries to fingers and hands.
12.  A Cordless Phone to make it easier to continuously watch young children, especially when they're in bathtubs, swimming pools, or other potentially dangerous areas.

In addition people should work at trying to eliminate potential hazards.
* Be wary of used Cribs especially those constructed before safety standards were developed in 1991
* Buy only age appropriate toys.  Small toys and toy parts can choke infants.
* Make sure the nursery floor is free from small objects such as buttons, beads, marbles, coins and tacks.
* Make sure that household cleaners, medicines and vitamins are locked up and away from your baby.
* Never leave infants unattended near sinks, tubs, buckets and containers, and empty them immediately after use.
* Do not allow children under age 6 to eat small round or hard foods, including hot dogs.