As a parent, it is always a delight to see with your very eyes the growth of our kids; from the tiny fragile creature that they were since day one, up to the time when they take their first steps. And as they grow, so does their curiosity and awareness of their surroundings. Soon, they will start to become more active and even wreak havoc inside your home! And with so many activities going on, accidents are sometimes inevitable. According to a study, unintentional injuries are considered the leading cause of death in children aged 13 and below, and 30% of these accidents happen at home. That is why it is important to make your home safe and secure to minimize the impacts that may be caused by these accidents. Here is the complete guide to babyproofing your home, room by room:
Baby Proof the nursery:
Babyproof your baby’s crib by buying one that passed the quality standards (i.e. slats are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart). Select a firm mattress for the crib and keep pillows and stuffed animals away to reduce the risk of SIDS. Make sure that your changing table has safety straps as well, to prevent your baby from rolling off. Secure the furniture in the room by bolting them to the wall. You may also want to store your supplies away from your child’s reach, so they don’t get accidentally knocked over.
Baby Proof the kitchen:
Install safety latches on cabinets and drawers. As much as possible, stash cleaners in high cabinets instead of below the sink. Keep sharp items, such as knives, out of reach too. You can babyproof your kitchen appliances as well, such as protecting oven knobs that can be reached, using a latch for the refrigerator and removing fridge magnets or keeping them out of reach, as they can pose choking hazards. When cooking, turn pot handles towards the back of the stove and use back burners only. Lastly, make sure that the garbage containers have childproof lids.
Baby Proof the living area:
Babyproof your living area by putting protectors on sharp edges and corners of furniture. If you have a fireplace, secure it by adding a fireplace screen and a heat-resistant guard. Anchor your TV to the wall and secure other furniture such as bookshelves and cabinets to the wall to prevent them from toppling over your kids. Be careful with potted plants and keep toxic plants away. Avoid rocks and choking hazard materials and watch out for vines that kids may pull.
Baby Proof the bathroom:
Place a rubber cover on the tub spout and placemats in and around the tub to avoid slipping. Install a toilet lock as well to avoid smashed fingers, unsanitary exposure, and drowning (yes this can happen!). Keep medications and toiletries out of reach or lock them up to avoid accidental swallowing.
These additional reminders can be helpful, too:
- To minimize the dangers of fall, secure your staircases by blocking the gaps in the railings and adding baby gates to the top and bottom of the staircase
- Electricity can pose a very serious hazard to children; electric outlets are found virtually everywhere inside the home so use electrical covers. Keep small appliances unplugged when not in use and make sure that the cords are out of reach.
- As much as possible, do away with tablecloths and placemats, as babies are prone to tugging and pulling things.
- Don’t forget to childproof your car, too, by installing a safety mirror in the rear set headrest, decluttering your backseat, and enabling child locks on your doors.
Babyproofing the entirety of your home may seem like a tedious job, but always think about having the safety of your child as your topmost priority, and no job will seem too big. We want our little kids to explore their surroundings, and babyproofing our homes will allow us to help our kids to learn about their environment and satisfy their curiosity without sacrificing their safety.
You can read more of Les Littles Complete Guides here.
