It wasn’t so long ago that your little one was born, and she’s already starting to move around on her own! Between around six to ten months most children start crawling, shuffling, and/or rolling. Once babies start. to move, they seem to be drawn towards potential hazards: wires, sockets, and other scary dangers. That’s why babyproofing your home is essential.
Most parents are quite surprised at how quickly babies can move. Check out these babyproofing basics to make your place more safe.
Babyproofing the Stairs
Stair gates at the top and bottoms of the stairs are essential. Also, ensure gaps in the banisters are not wide enough for your child’s head, which could become stuck between them. Stair gates can also be useful in any doorways (like the kitchen door) so you don’t need to keep the door shut to keep baby out.
Babyproofing the Living Room
The main hazard in the living room is trailing wires, which should be kept out of Baby’s reach. Try using trunking to keep cables safely hidden. Television cabinets with doors that lock or have safety catches on them are a good way to keep electronics out of the way, and you should also ensure your television or speakers can’t be pulled over by your little one. Use socket covers for plug sockets to prevent little fingers exploring them.
Babyproofing Your Pets
If you have pets ensure that their water, food bowls and litter trays are somewhere your baby cannot access. Even a small pet water bowl is a potential hazard, so don’t take any chances.
Babyproofing the Bedroom
Make sure beds or cots are not near the windows, so little bodies can’t crawl up, and make sure that no storage units are by, or under, the window, as babies can climb them. Fit locks on the windows to prevent them being opened very far, and ensure all plug sockets are protected with covers. Buy door slam guards which stop fingers being trapped, and install drawer locks to prevent drawers being opened.
Babyproofing the Bathroom
Keep all medicines in a locked cabinet, and store and cleaning products or chemicals out of reach (ideally also locked away). A bath mat is essential to prevent slips, and ensure you never leave your child alone in the bath, no matter how shallow the water.
Babyproofing the Kitchen
Catches on all cabinets are important to ensure they can’t be opened, and any cleaning products should be locked away out of reach. Keep utensils well out of reach of your child at all times.
Fire Safety
Practise good fire safety precautions in the home at all time. Consider investing in a fire extinguisher and fire blanket for your kitchen and ensure you know how to use it if needed.
More Babyproofing Tips
You can find further safety tips here. If you’re unsure of the potential hazards in your home, try getting down on your hands and knees and looking around the room from your child’s point of view. It may sound silly but, it’s a great way to spot anything in their line of vision that they might try and play with!
