When you’re expecting a baby, your mind might race with all sorts of things. It’s an exciting time for sure, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming. After all, there are all sorts of things to do, and to buy, before your little one arrives. Childproofing your home should be high on the list of priorities since you want to be sure to create a safe environment for your baby. Having said that, newborns don’t move around much at all. So, it’s ok if you haven’t fully baby proofed every square inch of your home before they arrive. Just be sure not to wait too long. Once they start crawling, they will find all sorts of ways to get into trouble!
Setting up The Nursery
While you don’t have to fully childproof your home before your baby arrives, it’s a good idea to get the nursery set up. You will want to get a crib that meets all of the latest safety standards. Then, make sure to set it up so that any cords, outlets, or other hazards are out of reach. You will also want to install a baby monitor so that you can keep an eye on your little one.
Things Do Watch Throughout the Home
There are all sorts of potential hazards throughout your home. Here are some that you will want to address:
- Cabinets. Some cabinets contain dangerous chemicals, cleaning supplies, or sharp objects. You will want to be sure to lock these up with latches to keep curious babies and toddlers out.
- Windows. Be sure that the cords from curtains or drapes are out of reach since they can pose a strangulation risk. You might clip these up, or even cut them off altogether. It’s also a good idea to make sure windows can’t be opened to wide. This is particularly important on higher floors to prevent falls.
- Stairs. Installing baby gates at the top and bottom of your staircases is a good way to prevent your little one from taking a tumble.
- Furniture. For any furniture that can be tipped over, be sure to secure it to a wall. After all, toddlers love using furniture to try to pull themselves up, and can lead to a big crash if the furniture isn’t secured. It’s also a good idea to place bumpers on sharp edges.
- Outlets. Outlet protectors are a good way to keep curious fingers out.
- Appliances. You might get a stove guard to prevent your little one from turning on the oven. It’s also a good idea to keep small appliances out of reach, and to make sure that electrical cords can’t be pulled by little hands.
Look Out For Hazards Outside
There are a coupe of common hazard areas outside the house. One is the grilling area. It’s actually fairly tough to make this one safe. So, your best bet is to make this area off limits.
Pools are another dangerous area. If you have a pool, make sure that you have a fence that surrounds it on all four sides.
One Last Check
Just when you think that you have done everything that you can to make your home safe, it’s a good idea to do one final walk through. You might even consider crawling around, so that you can spot any hazards that your baby or toddler might see.
Author Bio: Ryan Howard runs SmartParentAdvice, a site that provides parenting advice for moms and dads. Ryan writes about all of the different ups and downs of parenting, provides solutions to common challenges, and reviews products that parents need to purchase for babies and toddlers.
