How to baby proof your house

Baby-proofing your home is an essential step to ensure your child’s safety as they begin to crawl, explore, and walk. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you baby-proof effectively:

General Tips for Baby-Proofing

1. Get on Their Level: Crawl around your home to see the world from your baby’s perspective. Look for hazards at their eye level.
2. Secure Furniture and Appliances: Use furniture anchors or straps to secure bookshelves, TVs, and heavy furniture to the wall.
3. Cover Sharp Edges and Corners: Place edge guards on coffee tables, countertops, and other furniture with sharp corners.

Baby-Proofing by Room

Living Room:

• Electrical Outlets: Install outlet covers or sliding outlet plates.
• Cords and Cables: Bundle and secure cords out of reach using cord organizers or clips.
• Decor and Fragile Items: Move breakable items to higher shelves.

Kitchen:

• Cabinet Locks: Install latches or locks on cabinets and drawers, especially those containing cleaning supplies, sharp objects, or heavy pots.
• Stove and Oven: Use stove knob covers and a stove guard to prevent accidental burns. Always turn pot handles inward.
• Trash Cans: Use a trash can with a locking lid or store it in a secured cabinet.

Bathroom:

• Toilet Lock: Install a toilet lid lock to prevent drowning risks.
• Non-Slip Mats: Place non-slip mats in the bathtub and on the floor.
• Store Chemicals Safely: Keep cleaning supplies, medications, and toiletries in locked cabinets.

Bedroom:

• Crib Safety: Ensure the crib mattress fits snugly, and avoid using bumpers, pillows, or large blankets.
• Window Safety: Install window guards or stops to prevent falls. Use cordless blinds or secure cords with a cord winder.

Stairs and Hallways:

• Safety Gates: Use gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Choose hardware-mounted gates for the top for added stability.
• Handrails and Banisters: Install guards or use rail covers if the gaps in banisters are wide enough for a child to fit through.

Small Objects and Choking Hazards

• Regularly sweep and vacuum to pick up small objects like coins, batteries, and buttons.
• Keep toys age-appropriate and ensure they don’t have detachable parts small enough to swallow.

Baby-Proofing Checklist

• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Use door knob covers to prevent access to certain rooms.
• Add anti-slip pads under rugs.
• Store household plants out of reach, as some may be toxic.

Periodic Updates

• Review baby-proofing measures as your child grows and becomes more mobile and curious.

Taking these precautions can help you create a safer environment, giving you peace of mind while your baby explores their surroundings.