Your child spends most of his/her time at home, so you’ll want to make sure that the environment is safe. Many things will be obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many things you wouldn’t even think about. Consider these safety tips when childproofing your home.
Of course, the most obvious safety precaution is to make sure that your hose is equipped with proper safety gates. There are a number of safety gates on the market that can close off a stairway, a doorway, or a large archway entrance. Staircases are especially intriguing to crawling babies. Be sure to close off the staircase in your home once your baby begins to crawl. Selecting the right gate the first time around is important in order to eliminate possible dangers and unnecessary frustrations. Think about where the gate will be installed, how wide the opening is, what will the gate be mounted to (drywall, wood, banisters, wrought iron, brick…)
Safety gates generally fall into two categories: pressure mounted or hardware mounted.
Pressure mounted gates are best for doorways to divide areas between rooms on the same floor. They require no holes or hardware for installation. Hardware mounted gates are safer than pressure mounted gates because they are permanently affixed and are best suited for more dangerous areas like at the top of the stairs. No one likes to drill holes in the walls, but better safe than sorry. There are kits available that may help minimize the amount of drilling you may have to do through banisters and walls; we’ve also seen some parents get very creative with their own solutions…
Before you get started with the rest of the house , my best tip is to get down on your hands and knees to see the world from your baby’s level. Literally, get down on all fours and crawl around the house asking yourself what might look intriguing to your baby and what unsafe objects are within reach. Also keep in mind that a crawling baby will put anything into his or her mouth. Check the room and pick up any small objects.
When setting up your nursery, be sure to place your baby's crib away from windows. This is usually the hottest place in the summer and the coldest place in the winter – especially at night. Make sure that are no shade or blind cords within baby’s reach. Children can become entangled in cords and injure themselves. Long ceiling fan cords or light cords must be shortened so that your baby can't reach them from the crib.
Be sure to purchase a baby intercom so that you can monitor your child's napping and sleep time. I would strongly recommend monitors with a crib camera and the Angelcare baby monitor with a sensor pad, which senses the slightest breathing movements – or lack thereof… and will sound an alarm if no movement is detected for 20 seconds.
Once your baby begins to crawl, plug safety shields in all electrical outlets. Secure all electrical cords to table legs so that your baby can't pull down heavy lamps, etc.
If your baby can reach the windows, be sure that the screens are secure when windows are open. In warm weather be sure screen doors are locked or blocked so your baby can't wander outside.
Keep ashtrays, matches, cigarettes and hot drinks off of low tables. To prevent accidental burns, never drink a hot beverage or smoke while holding your baby.
Buy cabinet and drawer locking clips or child proof devices. Go through your home securing closets, cabinets (especially with chemicals and cleaning products), or storage areas from which you want to protect your child -- and also protect from your child.
Store plastic garbage bags far away from your baby's reach. When removing the plastic from dry cleaning, tie it into knots and discard it immediately. A curious child can easily smother in a plastic bag.
House plants can also pose a danger to your baby. Some are poisonous and should be put up out of reach. Large house plants and trees can become a great place to dig. Check with a florist or nursery to ensure that your plants are safe for your baby.
Kitchens and bathrooms pose the greatest danger. Locking clips on drawers and cabinets are a must. Place any dangerous items in out-of-reach areas.
Once your baby begins to pull up, counter tops and table tops become new places to explore. Be sure that pots and pans on the stove and counter tops are unreachable. Move them to back burners, and always keep the handles toward the back of the stove. Add all-purpose latches to keep the oven door locked.
Never carry your baby in a soft carrier while cooking. To let your baby feel involved in the process while staying safe (and to take the mystery out of the stove), put him or her in the high chair when you're preparing meals.
Keep garbage and waste baskets out of your baby's reach. They often contain hazardous materials. If you can't place them in a safe area, purchase ones with secure lids that your baby can't open.
Avoid using table cloths that hang over the edge of the table. Your baby can grab the edge causing heavy objects to come crashing down.
Watch your purse! Babies love to rummage through mom's purse. But purses often contain dangerous cosmetics, prescription medications, nail files, pens, etc. Put it out of your baby's reach.
For more information on childproofing your home and other nursery equipment, contact the knowledgeable and friendly staff at BABY LAND at (905) 761-0301
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