Making your home baby proof is one of the most important steps you can take to prepare for a baby. Little hands will get into things you never even thought of, so being prepared is critical to your child’s safety. Here are some areas of your home that need attention to get you started on getting your home baby proof.
Electrical Outlets – Baby Proof Your Home Outlets With Safety Cover’s
Baby proof your home includes keeping electrical outlets covered. You can get inexpensive covers to keep your baby from trying to stick things into the outlets. I recommend the clear covers because if you use colors it may get your child’s attention much quicker. If you choose not to cover the outlet you could put a piece of furniture in front of them.
Cords – Baby Proof Your Home Electrical Cords and Blind Cords
Whether they are electrical cords or cords for blinds or draperies, they are a risk. Cords from blinds or draperies are a choking hazard. Electrical cords can cause a shock and burns, or can cause baby to pull something heavy (such as the lamp at the other end of that cord) down on top of them, so baby proof your home and avoid serious injuries and burns.
- Any cord hanging within a child’s reach should be tied up higher than the child can reach. Don’t forget about blinds that may be close to the baby’s crib.
- Electrical cords should be well hidden behind furniture that a child cannot get behind
I had a friend who had a terrible scare around her mouth area, and when I asked what it was from she told me that when she was a baby she chewed through a cord… Can you say ZAP? She is lucky to be alive! However, if your parents would have taken time to baby proof the home she would have that huge scare around her mouth.
Rickety Furniture – Baby Proof Your Home For Broken Furniture
Make absolutely sure that you don’t have unstable furniture around. When your baby begins pulling himself up, he could pull the furniture right down on top of him. Sometimes it’s necessary to attach furniture, such as top heavy bookcases to the wall.
Plants – Baby Proof Your Home and House Plants
Some houseplants are poisonous, so be certain to keep plants out of baby’s reach. Here are just a few:
- Devil’s Ivy
- Ivy
- Flaming Flower
- Caladrum
Radiators and Space Heaters – Baby Proof for Accidental Burns
If you live in an older home with radiators or space heaters, you will need to put barriers in front of them or radiator covers over them during winter months.
Fireplace
Be certain your fireplace is equipped with a grill or glass doors to protect your child’s little fingers.
Stairs
Install baby gates to keep your little one from tumbling down the stairs.
Cabinet doors and drawers
Install baby proofing latches so that your baby is unable to open drawers and doors, particularly those where you store sharp objects or cleaning supplies.
Railings
Be certain that any railings in your home, such as those on your stairs, have no more than a five inch gap between any vertical posts. You’d be amazed at how easily a baby’s head can get stuck.
All of these are important steps to readying your home for those days when baby starts crawling around. But, probably the most important thing you can do is to learn to keep your everyday things put away.
Items that adults use regularly:
- scissors
- pins
- coins
- buttons
- letter openers
All of these items can be very hazardous to a baby. It’s going to take some getting used to, but with some advance preparation your home will be baby proof !
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