The wriggling, squealing baby in your arms is going to grow up fast. Pretty soon your baby will be tearing around the house and trying to get their hands on anything they can grab. Protect your little one by babyproofing your house as soon as possible.
If you’re a first-time parent, you might be wondering if it’s worth the effort. Can’t you just keep an eye on the baby to make sure she doesn’t get into trouble? The reality is that babies and toddlers can be so rambunctious that it would be hard to watch them every minute even if you had eyes on the back of your head.
Accidents happen. You can’t prevent everything that might happen but you can do a lot to lower your child’s risk.
Don’t worry. Babyproofing a home is easier than it seems. It just requires common sense and attention to details. We’ve compiled a list of expert tips and tricks to help you out.
Get to Know Your Water Heater
Scalding water is the last thing that you want to be splashed on your baby’s skin. A curious toddler has no concept of how to be safe around faucets. Once the child has turned on the hot water, they can easily burn themselves.
To keep your family safe, set your water heater to 120 degrees or less.
Unless you want to be stuck trying to bathe your child with freezing water, you should also make sure that your water heater isn’t faulty. At https://www.fixitrightplumbing.com.au/plumber-mornington-peninsula, they note that their Mornington Peninsula, Australia, team arrives “with all the parts and supplies right there with us on every call to ensure we can get started straight away fixing your plumbing issues on the spot. This saves you time from waiting around and it also saves you money...”
Call the right plumber and fixing your water heater will be a simple, painless task.
Secure Your Furniture
A child can easily pull an unsecured bookcase or dresser down on top of themselves. You can avoid this by securing problem pieces of furniture to the wall. A rowdy toddler might try to climb on shelves or yank on tall lamps.
According to a website run by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the number of children harmed by falling TVs every year is increasing. Don’t forget to secure your nursery as well. Diaper changing tables can be treacherous.
Keep Your Bathrooms Locked
We’ve already seen how easily babies can injure themselves by playing with faucets. It turns out that there are other dangers lurking in the bathroom. Slippery floors, a bathtub large enough to drown in. Small children also start playing with the toilet sometimes, exposing themselves to dangerous chemicals and bacteria.
Clear your bathroom counters of anything that might harm your baby. Grooming items like you razor need to be kept far away from curious baby fingers. Your cleaning supplies should be kept out of reach as well.
Cover Your Sockets
Electric socket covers are cheap and easy to find. They’re an integral part of babyproofing a home. Make sure that the covers fit snugly, you don’t want a dedicated child pulling them out.
Use a Baby Gate
Once your baby starts moving around independently, you’re going to want to buy a baby gate. Place them at the top of stairwells and you’ll mitigate the risk of your baby falling down the steps.
You can also use the gate to keep your little one out of certain rooms. For instance, you might want to keep her out of the kitchen while you’re cooking.
Eliminate Tripping Hazards
A toddler’s gait is often unsteady; expect a few trips and falls as your little one learns to walk. That doesn’t mean, however, you shouldn’t try to reduce the risk. Try to clear your floors of anything that might get tangled up under your baby’s feet. Use furniture covers to blunt sharp edges on things like your couch and coffee table.
Remove Potential Toxins
Make sure that all cleaning supplies and medications are securely put away. Something as simple as leaving your laundry detergent on the counter could have devastating consequences if your baby grabs hold of it.
Remember Your Windows
You should prevent your upper story windows from opening too wide. Be wary also of the long cord on your blinds. Kids loving wrapping things around their neck.
Be Present
Don’t allow your child to roam freely around your home until it’s safe for them to do so. A child can get into trouble within seconds if left to themselves, even if the house has been thoroughly babyproofed. Be present in the moment and keep a close eye on your little one.
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