Babyproofing Basics
Curiosity and Wonder
Babies possess an innate curiosity about the world around them. Everything is new and interesting to them. What does it feel like? What does it taste like? Can I push it? Can I pull it? Can I climb it? What happens if I…?
Unfortunately, this wondrous journey of discovery often exposes babies to many dangers in and around the home. Since keeping a child physically safe is the most basic of all parental responsibilities, parents should take proactive measures to ensure a safe home environment for their baby to live, explore, develop, and grow.
Yeah! My baby is crawling! Oh no! My baby is crawling!
Most parents revel in the joy and excitement of watching their baby crawl for the first time. The excitement is often short-lived, though, as parents soon realize that mobility offers their baby a whole new world of exploration in the home.
As they chase their newly mobile baby from room to room, parents discover that everything within their child’s reach is of utmost fascination. For many new parents, this is the moment when the concept of “babyproofing” suddenly sinks in.
Create a “Yes” Environment
It can be frustrating and exhausting to constantly say “no” to your baby. There will always be a time and place for “no”, but if overused, its effect may be diminished. As you begin to develop a strategy for babyproofing your home, strive to create a “yes” environment where there are minimal reasons for saying “no”. Both you and your baby will be happier.
A New Perspective
One of the easiest ways to identify potential hazards in your home is to get a baby’s perspective. How? Get down on your hands and knees and look around each room of your home. Be sure to look under appliances, sofas, and beds as well. This is what your baby sees. The obvious hazards will stare right back at you:
- Remove sharp or breakable objects from your baby’s reach.
- Look for and remove common choking hazards such as decorative pebbles, jewelry, erasers, coins, rubber tips on door stops, and small refrigerator magnets. As a general rule, if an object is small enough to pass through a toilet paper tube, it’s small enough to choke on.
- Cover electrical outlets with self-closing outlet plates. Avoid using plastic push plugs as they may pose a choking hazard if dislodged.
- Move or secure unstable furniture and floor lamps.
- Install safety gates on stairs.
Babyproofing Basics
Below are some basic safety tips for the kitchen, bathroom, and nursery.
In the Kitchen:
- Install safety latches on cabinets and drawers within your baby’s reach.
- Prevent access to pet bowls of food and water. A baby can drown in the water or choke on the food.
- Don’t use tablecloths. If your baby pulls it, everything on it will come crashing down.
- Ensure countertop appliances and their cords remain out of reach.
- Check the floor daily to ensure food or other dropped items do not pose a choking hazard.
In the Bathroom:
- Never leave your baby unattended in the bath. Never! If you must leave the room for any reason, wrap your child in a towel and leave the room together.
- Reduce your hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees. A baby's skin is more sensitive than an adult's. What is warm to us may scald an infant.
- Install safety latches on cabinets and drawers.
- Never leave standing water in the tub or sink.
- Put wastebaskets under the sink in a locked cabinet.
- Keep hair dryers, curling irons, and other electrical appliances away from your baby’s reach. When not in use, unplug these devices and store in a locked cabinet.
- Install a lid lock on the toilet to prevent a drowning hazard.
In the Nursery:
- Cribs should be free of blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and stuffed animals. These items can block the airway of a sleeping baby and cause suffocation.
- Prevent furniture tip-overs by securing bookcases and dressers to the wall with brackets.
- Ensure window blind cords and electrical cords from audio and video monitors cannot be reached from the crib. A baby who is able to grab such cords can pull the excess length into the crib, posing a strangulation hazard.
- Never leave your baby unattended on a changing table.
What About Professional Babyproofers?
Professional babyproofers can assist you in making your home safe by conducting a room by room evaluation, identifying potential hazards, and helping you develop a sensible plan for childproofing your home. In addition, they’ll take the guesswork out of deciding which safety products will be most effective in your home. You’ll save time and money, and avoid the hassle of returning items that do not work or fit properly.
Keep in mind that childproofing products are only effective when properly installed. Professional babyproofers have extensive experience installing baby gates, cabinet and drawer latches, furniture brackets, and other child safety products that parents sometimes find difficult to install on their own. If you find yourself experiencing difficulty, delays, or frustration in babyproofing your home, consider using the services of a professional babyproofer.
Babyproofing is Never a Substitute for Parent Supervision
This article will not teach you everything you need to know about babyproofing your home. Entire books have been written on the subject and the Internet is an overflowing resource of information, as well. Don’t be overwhelmed. Let this article serve as a starting point for you to continue learning about injury prevention for your baby.
Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional to babyproof your home, take the proper measures to keep your baby safe in the home. And remember, even in a “babyproofed” home, there will always be minor bumps and boo boos. Allow your curious baby the freedom to learn and explore, but always remain vigilant in your supervision to prevent serious harm or injury to your child.