Whether dealing with a new baby or new home, there can be dangers. With new moms and dads having enough issues to deal with, having a baby proof home is a must for the safety of your children and for your own peace of mind. It is never a good idea to leave a baby unattended, but learning more about these ten essential ways to make a home safe for your baby are a must read.
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Put it away – Those beloved souvenirs from your honeymoon or knick-knack your mom got for you may be great to look at but can present a choking hazard for a baby. Take away all items that could be inserted into the mouth out of a baby’s path by putting it on a high shelf or away all together.
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Keep it closed – As soon as your baby figures out that pulling on a cabinet door or drawer opens something entirely new, they will do it all day, every day. Having a safety device in danger areas, such as where household cleaners are, is very important. Not only can it keep your baby from making a mess, it can keep them from getting hurt.
- Don’t forget about bath time – While baths are supposed to be relaxing, there are many dangers in giving your baby a bath. Consider getting a bath seat that can keep the child seated during a bath while simultaneously easing parent’s arms. There are even baby proofing devices that can be put around the bath faucet to keep them from grabbing or hitting it.
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Grab a gate – Got stairs in your home? Then you have a baby hazard. Grab a baby gate to keep kids from climbing up stairs, which can keep them from falling down them or vice versa.
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Keep cool – Did you know that burns are the fourth leading cause of accidental deaths and injuries to babies? These can often happen in a variety of ways from baths that are too hot to babies who grab curling irons. Be sure to use caution whenever using a heating device. You can also see if your water heater has the option to be set to a max temperature.
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No pulling – As babies become mobile, their instinct is to pull whatever their tiny hands come across. This means that all those fancy drapes need to be secured against a baby’s weight or be taken down all together. The same goes for items such as shower curtains and tablecloths.
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Outlets – One of the best known baby proofing practices is to put outlet covers on all open plugs. However, this doesn’t stop your baby from pulling out a plug and jamming something in the outlet, so don’t get a false sense of security from traditional outlet covers.
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Lock it – If you have a room that the baby doesn’t need to go into, why not reverse the lock and have the door lock from the outside? This will keep a baby out while letting the grown-ups in.
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Utilize hooks – You can get hooks to store items like keys, purses, and more out of baby’s reach. A purse can be especially dangerous for a baby, as it can contain a number of sharp and small objects.
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Get off the case – That book case can be a great way to store books, but it can be quite the health hazard if your baby climbs up it. Book cases and shelving units can also be hazardous if they are pulled on by a child. There are some cases that can be bolted into the walls, but that won’t keep a baby from climbing it.
And these are only some of the hazards a baby can get into. Use caution and as many opinions as possible when looking for ways to make a home baby safe.
About the Author
Kim Reid is a licensed real estate agent and owns the site Masters In Real Estate. She likes to write articles about everything related to Real Estate business and educating future agents.
