5 Important Ways To Baby-Proof Your House That You Should Never Forget
When you have a toddler running around your home, even the simplest of things can become dangerous. As your newborn learns to move and walk, baby-proofing the house during that stage is crucial. Otherwise, your kiddo may get seriously hurt and injured.
But baby-proofing doesn't mean that you'll have to fix up the entire house. All you need to do is take care of a few crucial things, and your house will become much safer within no time.
Here's a list of the best ways to baby-proof the house, and keep your child away from harm’s way, without jeopardizing convenience and mobility in the house.
1. Place Cabinet Locks and Straps
Cabinet knobs and handles become things of great interest for toddlers, around the 6 months, when they begin to walk. If drawers and cabinets are left unprotected, your toddler might end up hurting themselves by hitting their head or getting their finger stuck. There’s also always the danger of the cabinet getting unhinged or falling out, lest they pull it too hard. Make sure that you install cabinet locks and straps on all areas that may be within reach of your baby. However, they shouldn’t be too inaccessible and should be easy to open for others, especially if it’s a drawer that is constantly in use.
2. Set-up Toddler Fences or Stair Gates
Stairs are one of, if not the, most dangerous parts of a house for toddlers and babies. One misstep and they can go tumbling down, injuring themselves. Even a couple of steps, which might seem harmless to us, can be fatal to them. So if you have stairs in your house, a baby fence or gate is the first priority when it comes to baby-proofing. If you have doors that lead up to the stairway, make sure to keep them closed at all times.
3. Make Small Items Away From Reach
Baby proofing doesn’t always mean installing something or the other. Keeping certain things away from reach is also an important part of baby-proofing, something which many people tend to forget. Babies have an instinct to put small items into their mouths, especially when they’re teething and feel the urge to chew. But if they do so, there is a large chance that they may end up choking. Always be cognizant of the things around your house, and keep all small items away from your toddler’s reach, regardless of whether they’re food, accessories, or any other item.
4. Keep Sockets Covered
Another crucial part of your house that needs to be properly baby-proofed is sockets. These tiny things can be extremely intriguing to babies and they cannot resist the desire to put a finger inside them. Not only is there the obvious danger of electrocution, but their fingers may also get stuck there. Get some outlet and socket covers from your nearest hardware or departmental store and make sure that you cover up all the sockets that may be within reach of your toddler.
5. Keep The Bathroom Out Of Reach
Other parts of the home, such as the bedrooms or the living room, have soft furnishings like rugs and pillows, that often soften the blow if your child does happen to fall. The floor, if carpeted, also provides more grip and lowers the chances of a slip. However, the bathroom is a whole other case. The “tile and water” combination in bathrooms is the recipe for a bad fall. On top of that, the risk of them hitting their head on the toilet is also very much existent. Babies also tend to be more top-heavy than adults, and if they lean in too much, they may end up falling in the toilet. So make sure to always keep the bathroom doors closed.