You know that baby proofing your home is crucial for the health and safety of your baby, but where does one start such a daunting endeavor? It’s tempting to wait until your baby is already walking or crawling to baby proof, however, remember that there are hazards even for small infants. The earlier you baby proof the better, and continue to check for new dangers as your child grows.
- Get a child’s point of view. When you begin to baby proof get down to baby level (on all fours). This will give you a whole new perspective. You will see the things that may stand out to your child as enticing. You may even see things that you never even knew were there. Check for small choking hazards on the floor, and low shelves. Identify electrical/ telephone cords and either secure them to a wall or hide them behind furniture so your child can’t play with them. Cover all electrical outlets that are not in use.
- Secure all furniture to the wall. That may look like a beautiful bookshelf to you, but to your child it’s a ladder, a pull up bar, and the newest exercise fad! If it isn’t secured to the wall it could easily fall on top of your child causing serious injuries. Even small furniture pieces can be dangerous, so if in doubt get it secured.
- Get into the lower cabinets and drawers- check the contents for choking hazards, and chemicals. Toothpaste, Vitamins, Mouthwash, and hair/ body care products can all be dangers to littles if they eat or drink too much. Get all those things up to a higher shelf and secure with a childproof lock.
- Keep your child in view- This may seem like a no brainer, but those little feet can move fast, and even pre walking/crawling aged children can sure scoot! Use baby gates and a child proof door lock, the Door Monkey, to keep your child in your supervised area. Childproofing products are the first line of defense and can certainly help to keep you child safe, but there is no substitute for adult supervision.
These are a few small tips that can help you begin your journey into baby proofing. There are many more tips to come. So, so stay tuned.