Before bringing your new bundle of joy home, there’s some baby proofing that needs to be done around the apartment.
If you’re preparing for a new addition, take all measures possible to ensure their safety in the home. Here are 10 baby proofing tips to consider:
Purchase baby gates for your home.
When the baby has learned to scoot or crawl is not the time to wish you had a baby gate. Get a few ASAP, so when the time comes, you’ll be ready! Be sure to cut off all access to stairways, the kitchen, laundry/utility room and bathrooms, as these places can pose danger to your infant. There are many baby gates to consider, be sure to check recall sites and reviews prior to purchasing.
Cover the electrical outlets.
Because babies are curious about everything at their level, babies tend to gravitate toward electrical outlets to “play” with them. Take the time to safely baby proof each one with a protective covering. It may even help to get on hands and knees and look for ones you may have missed. Safety first, people!
Eliminate sharp edges.
Sharp edges are everywhere in your home: coffee tables, end tables, shelves, furniture, appliances and countertops. Consider adding bumper guards or sheets to cover these harsh corners while your child is learning mobility. You could even replace the items for the time being; coffee tables can be substituted for ottomans – which also serve as a bonus storage container for the million toys you’re about to inherit.
Create safety play areas.
Create safe, exploratory stations where your baby can play safely. For example, if you have built-ins, clear the lower shelves of knickknacks and photos and replace them with your child's toys and stuffed animals.
Place locks on the cabinets and cupboards.
All babies love to get into cabinets and drawers, which are typically filled with cleaning chemicals and sharp kitchen tools. Save yourself the headache of your baby getting into those things by simply locking floor-level cabinets.
Move plants higher up.
The plants you have in your apartment may not be poisonous to the touch or smell, but ingesting could be a different story. Avoid the danger as well as constant cleanup by locating a new spot higher up for your houseplants.
Test the stableness of your furniture.
Go room to room and test your furniture for stability – you’ll be surprised at how many stools, tables and chairs look sturdy, but are off balance. Be careful of dressers as well. If a curious baby pulls a drawer too hard or fast, it could easily fall on top of your child.
Check your apartment for poisonous chemicals.
Everything in a child’s reach can be potentially dangerous, especially chemical solutions. Lock up insecticides, cleaning chemicals, toiletries, etc. in a cabinet that is out of reach of children.
Be on the lookout for hazardous toys.
Just because you bought a children’s toy, doesn’t make it safe for them to play with. Older toys may contain lead and should be tossed immediately. Others may claim it’s for a child of a certain age but could contain components that pose a choking hazard.
Toys are constantly being recalled, so it’s vital to check recall lists periodically. One example is the infamous kiddie bouncer on wheels. It was later recalled as toddlers scuttled their jumpers down stairs and steps. While inspecting toys for potential dangers, be sure to wash them before allowing your child to play with them.
Monitor the baby around window treatments.
Blind cords can be fascinating to a baby, which can easily be turned into a trap. Curtains too can envelope a baby and confuse him or her to the point where they can’t get out. You don’t necessarily need to remove them, but you need to keep potential traps like window treatments in mind. Instead of floor-length curtains, opt for valences.
