Baby Proofing for Beginners
Baby Proofing Tips for New Parents
Starting to baby proof? You can do this. Step away from the bubble wrap and take a deep breath. OK, now baby proofing doesn’t have to be a daunting task. There are plenty of products and tips available to make the process easier for you. First, do not spend too much time thinking about it until your baby is about 5 months. Then get into gear when your baby is about 6 months. That way, your home will be safe just before your baby starts to crawl (usually sometime between 7-12 months).
Here Are a Few Tips on Covering the Basics:
Nursery:
- Cover electrical outlets with sliding safe plates.
- Wrap up window covering cords and keep away from crib.
- Use a nightlight with an encased bulb so baby cannot access.
- Keep windows locked at all times or install window guards.
- Secure dresser, bookshelf, or armoire to the wall.
- Keep crib clear of blankets and plush toys. Strap “soothing sounds” types of toys and gadgets to the wall side of the crib, so when your baby is older he or she will not use them as leverage to climb out of the crib.
Family Room:
- Cover electrical outlets with sliding “safe plates”.
- Wrap up window covering cords.
- Pad corners and edges of coffee table.
- Lock any drawers or consoles that contain small or potentially dangerous items.
- Secure tv to the stand or wall it is on.
- Lock fireplace doors; pad top surface as well as corners and edges of raised hearth.
Kitchen:
- Move detergents and cleaning supplies out from under the sink and place them in a high cabinet, or lock the cabinets they are in with a Tot-Loc magnetic lock (stronger than traditional locks).
- Lock all cabinets and drawers to send the message to your baby that the kitchen is not a play space.
- If you want to give you child kitchen items to play with choose plastic ware instead of pots and pans. Otherwise children will see pots and pans as toys and be more inclined to reach for them when they are on a hot stove.
- Keep the oven locked and reinforce words like “hot” and “don’t touch” with your child. If knobs are on the front of the stove use stove knob covers or just pop them off when not in use to prevent your child from turning on a burner.
- Keep pantries locked because many food items can be a choking hazard and some, like salt or cooking wine, are just plain dangerous for your child to ingest.
Bathroom:
- Keep cabinets and drawers locked to prevent your child from accessing cleaning supplies and medicine, as well as personal care items that can be harmful if ingested, such as shampoo, soap, nail polish, make-up, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.
- Place a non-skid bath mat in the tub to prevent falls. Use a spout cover to prevent head bumping.
- Don’t store medicine in the medicine cabinet because many children can access it by stepping from the toilet onto the sink. Rather, store medicine and vitamins on the top shelf of a locked closet.
- Keep bath items, including razors, out of your child’s reach. A shower caddy kept up high can help.
- Lock the toilet to prevent your child from reaching in because their hands always end up in their mouth.
- Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees to prevent scalding.
Problem Spots Parents Often Overlook:
Each parent has their own hot spots of concern. As a mother and professional babyproofer I worry about the f-words, falls and furniture tip-overs. The result of which can be tragic. It is imperative to take the proper precautions to prevent window falls. Window guards are the most effective solution. Stairway falls are an obvious concern and can be easily prevented with gates at the top and bottom of the stairs. Most parents know to use gates on the stairs but they forget the basement stairs. Even if you have a door you will need a lock up high (higher than where it is installed now). Or, if your basement is finished and you spend time down there, if your washing machine is in the basement, or if you enter the house through the basement – install a gate behind the door. It is the easiest way to frequently pass through safely. If you have effective, attractive gates properly installed they can save you a tremendous amount of heartache.
Furniture tip-overs are also often overlooked. Dressers, changing table combos, bookshelves, tv’s, armoires, or any piece of furniture with shelves, drawers, or anything that is taller than it is wide, should be secured to the wall with furniture straps.
Remember, baby proofing for choking hazards is not a one-time deal. Stay vigilant about choking hazards, especially when your baby starts crawling. Any items that will fit into the cardboard tube of a paper towel roll are considered choking hazards The choking hazards we most often see in homes are coins on the nightstand, the rubber tips of door stoppers, plastic grocery bags lining trash cans (babies can easily pull off little pieces of plastic), exposed batteries on tv remote controls, and plants (the dirt, leaves, and pebbles are choking hazards).
In a Nutshell:
When you childproof your home you give your child more freedom to explore. He or she will be able to crawl, cruise, and walk without the threat of household dangers. Please note the list above is not comprehensive and each home is different; each family has different needs and concerns. If you need help childproofing there are professionals who can install the right products to keep your child safe. Injuries can happen, even as we are closely supervising our children. Childproofing is a great way to prevent the preventable and keep your child safe at home.
