Making Your Home Safe for The Baby
Your little one’s on-the-go adventures mark a huge milestone for his or her development and your family. Before allowing your baby to trek freely from room to room, it is important to get your home ready for a child on the move with some important safety steps and precautions.
The first step toward ensuring your home is ready for a mobile child is to see the world from the same level. Take a crawling tour around your home to see things that may be in the way, or discover hazardous items that are within easy reach. Use all of your senses to assess any potential dangers.
Protect your little one from sharp objects and heavy items by installing child protection latches on all cabinets and drawers. Also, keep any sharp objects and harmful chemicals in high places only adults can reach.
Bookshelves, bedside tables and the items placed on them, such as television sets and other large appliances, can be dangerous for a small child when pulling themselves up. Ensure these heavy pieces of furniture are properly secured to the wall with anchors that are available at most hardware stores or home centers, so they are not pulled over on top of your child.
To properly prepare your home for a mobile child, don’t forget to take steps such as covering electrical outlets with safety plugs, placing safety gates at the top and bottom of staircases, installing fireplace screens, adding foam padding to sharp furniture corners and edges, placing a soft cover over the bathtub waterspout, removing blinds with looped cords or installing safety tassels and cord stops, stocking your first aid kit, and putting non-slip pads under rugs.
Find more tips to child-proof your home at eLivingtoday.com.
