Are you worried about what will happen when your baby or toddler can start getting into things around the house? When your child is first born, they will most likely be safe from harm’s way until they start crawling around eight months. However, there are still things around your house that aren’t safe for a newborn. I’ve put together some tips to help you as you start baby proofing your home.
Plugs For Safety Outlets
You can buy cheap plugs for your safety outlets at Walmart or Home Depot. It doesn’t take long to go around and put a plastic plug in. It’s better to do this early on before your baby crawls. And better to put them in before you forget.
Keep Appliances Out of Reach
If this is your first baby, you haven’t had to worry about a baby pulling on dangling cords. Now is the time to start the practice of putting wires up onto counters or appliances away in shelving.
Baby Gates
If you live in a house with stairs, this may be the time to invest in a baby gate. Don’t go cheap on this one. Instead invest in a sturdy gate, especially if your home has stairs that your child could fall down.
Window Guards
If your baby has access to look out a window, you may want to invest in window guards, window stops, or safety netting on windows.
Toilet Lock
Infants can drown in just a couple inches of water. A toilet lock will prevent your baby from accidentally drowning. An added benefit is that it will help to avoid little fingers from getting smashed. And let’s face it, small children can get into the grossest things. A toilet lock will keep your baby from getting into an unsanitary place.
Put A Lock On Your Medicine Cabinet
Babies love to get into things. By taking the time to put a lock on your medicine cabinet, you are preventing a possible death or illness. You just never know what they might find interesting and fun to play with. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Buy Gun Locks Or A Gun Case
If you have firearms in your home, now is the time to make sure that they are kept out of reach and locked up. The age that children manage to kill themselves and others is getting lower and lower. It’s such a tragedy when a young child gets killed by getting into firearms. A gun lock or locked gun case should prevent this from ever happening.
Cleaners and Poisons
Put cleaners like window wash and bleach out of reach of little and curious fingers.
Put Glass Photo Frames Away
Glass can cut so sharply and easier than most knives. Make sure that your child can’t grab a framed photo. Accidents can happen at lightning speed. Hang photos up high or keep them on high and secure shelving.
Keep Matches Out of Reach
It is possible for a very young child to start a fire. Don’t take the chance of an accidental fire starting. Keep matches and all fire starters up high or safely away in a cabinet or drawer.
Mount Your TV
If there is any chance of your TV falling, then mount it high on the wall. Each year, children die from TVs and other appliances falling on them.
Cover Your Fireplace
Make sure that your child can’t reach your fireplace. Gates should be installed around the fire area.
Window Blinds
Check to see if little hands can reach your window blind cords. If your blinds have a loop at the end, then cut the loop. Children die each year by strangling themselves by the cord string.
Final Thoughts:
Take the time before your baby arrives to do a walk-through of your house. Look for the things I’ve mentioned here and also look for hidden dangers. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
For tips on how to adjust pets to your newborn, check out our article here.
And, if you are still trying to figure out the best bottle for your toddler to take, check out our article here!
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