Baby Proofing your home is something that should be at the top of your to-do list when you are expecting a Baby. As a Mom of two toddlers, I know just how overwhelming it can be after the baby is born. Both parents are exhausted while trying to get used to the middle of the night feedings, diaper changes and a totally different schedule all of the time. You are not even thinking about your baby starting to roll over, crawling or walking yet, because you are too busy trying to find a few minutes to sleep in between the excitement of your new family.

However, this is the time that you should be working on baby proofing your home. Baby proofing should be done before the baby starts moving around on their own, or even before the baby is born. Baby proofing can take time and most of the time, parents believe that they have baby proofed everything possible and then notice at least one area that they missed. (It happens to everyone!) This is the main reason why it is better to baby proof sooner, rather than later.

The first thing that you should do when you are starting to baby proof is to take a good look at your house. Write down any areas where a child can climb up on, open up and bump into. Also, write down any areas where dangerous items are out in the open and easily accessible. If any small items are located in a place that a baby can get to, then these need to be moved as well.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN BABY PROOFING YOUR HOME:

DOORS

Door holders and door stops are good things to use to keep doors from slamming shut on little fingers. The best door holder will be placed by the hinges, so that the child’s fingers will not get stuck in the area where the hinges are located.

ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND SHARP FURNITURE

Any empty electrical outlet should have an electrical outlet cover, so that little fingers do not get inserted in it. Any furniture that has sharp edges will need padded corner guards, so that a falling toddler will not end up with a gash on their head if they Fall into it.

WINDOWS

A parent can never be too safe when it comes to windows. If there are blinds in the house, the cords need to either be cut or placed up high and safety tassels and cord stops should be used. Window guards and stops can ensure that a child does not get the window open far enough for them to fall out.

STAIRS

Stairs are another dangerous area in any house. Gates should be placed at the top and bottom of the stairs, so that little ones cannot climb up and fall or fall down the stairs.

KITCHEN

Kitchens are one of the areas where the most baby proofing will be done. All of the cabinets and drawers should have safety locks on them, so that children cannot get to the sharp knives, cleaning supplies, heavy pans, breakables or any other items that are dangerous. I love these cabinet and drawer latches. I have used them in my home for the last three years, and they keep the kids from being able to get into my cabinets and drawers. A lock on the oven and the refrigerator are also necessary. The lock on the oven door will prevent a child from opening it and getting burned while a lock on the refrigerator will prevent a child from getting inside and possibly getting closed in.

BATHROOM

Many people keep cleaning supplies, medications, curling irons and hair dryers in the bathroom. All of these items need to be locked up so that children will not swallow anything harmful or burn themselves on hot items. Toilet locks are also a necessity, because toddlers are very inquisitive and there is a chance that they can fall in head first and drown.

LAUNDRY ROOM

The laundry is another area where cleaning supplies are found. It is very important that if a child has access to the laundry room at any time that these items are kept up high on a shelf or in a locked cabinet.

HEAVY FURNITURE AND TELEVISION EQUIPMENT

Any bookshelf, cabinet or dresser should be attached to a wall so that they do not fall on top of a climbing toddler. Some of these items can fall easily even if they are extremely heavy. Try to hang all televisions on a wall or keep them behind cabinet doors with a lock. Televisions can easily be pulled down off of a shelf or cabinet and they are very heavy. You can also buy a Furniture & TV Strap Kit to secure heavy furniture and televisions to your wall so that they will not fall on top of children.

CHOKING HAZARDS

Plants or small objects that toddlers and babies can reach will need to be moved. Children will possibly eat part of the plant or dirt and it can be harmful or poisonous to them. Any decorative dishes with marbles or rocks or a container filled with coins needs to be placed on a higher shelf. These are all items that a child will put in their mouths and they can choke.

It may seem to be a lot of work when parents are child proofing their house, but the time spent will be worthwhile, because at some point an accident will happen. Accidents are always much worse if a house has not been properly baby proofed.

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