Expecting an addition to your family in the new year? This exciting step in your journey together can also be scary if you’re a first-time parent. Knives in the top drawer, steps to the basement, carpet, cupboard corners, you name it. All houses are full of potential baby hazards. It might seem a bit premature to double-check these items before your baby can walk and really get into things, but it’s never too soon. Once your little one makes their appearance, you might even be too busy or tired to baby-proof your home, so here are a few essentials to prepare for before welcoming your child home.
Furniture
The main thing with furniture is to secure loose items or place them in storage and cover sharp edges. Dressers, TV stands, coffee tables, night stands, etc. Anything that could potentially jab your baby in the eye when he/she starts walking or that could damage their soft, vulnerable, cute little heads should be covered with edge bumps. As far as securing furniture goes, make sure all the knickknacks are high enough that they aren’t going to get bumped off tables and hit someone, or maybe just place them in storage for a few years.
Pro tip: If you don’t want to spend loads money, try using old pool noodles as edge bumps! Cut them down to size and slip them over the sharp edges.
Kitchen
The kitchen can be one of the trickier areas to control. Since we are in the room every day, it can be hard to analyze for hazards. The big items are:
- Stoves – install knob covers and cook on the back burners to prevent any unwanted cooking disasters.
- Don’t use dangly tablecloths; it’s really easy for little hands to pull on them from the ground and create a mess of any dishes or centerpieces on the table.
- Garbage – to ensure that your little one isn’t eating out of the can, place a lockable cover on it.
A few other things to keep in mind include keeping your bathroom door closed when your kids start crawling. You don’t want them to have access to all the germs and bacteria that toilets and showers contain. Control your cords, clean up around outlets that see a lot of usage. Especially around computers and TVs, make sure that your baby will be safe from heavy equipment that might fall from a few tiny tugs or any electrical hazards. It’s also a good idea to put outlet covers on any exposed socket that isn’t being used to prevent your little one from shocking themselves. Double-check your greens. Make sure none of the plants you have in the house are of a toxic variety. Place safety gates at the top and the bottom of the stairs so that they won’t fall to the bottom or try crawling their way to the top!
There is so much to be aware of when making your home safe for your baby. The key to being confident is being cautious. You don’t need to be afraid; just be aware of what you have in the house and be cautious when you’re introducing something new to the mix. Congratulations, and best of luck! Keep a watch for our online articles and seasonal magazine for more tips and tricks as your family grows and your kids start aging.
Written by Sarah Richards