Thousands of babies and toddlers are injured every year in accidents that could have been prevented if the parents had taken steps to baby proof their homes. No matter how diligent you try to be, your little one may still be at risk. Here are some tips that will help you keep your child safe no matter where they are in the house.
- Get on the floor and look at everything from a new perspective. You will see things that you have never noticed before. Look at the room from every angle, and remove objects that might tempt your baby to explore dangerous territory.
- Put away everything that is below chest level. If you have shelves that your little one can reach, fill it with safe toys, such as board books or teething rings. All small or breakable items should be placed out of reach and out of sight.
- Invest in outlet covers. Babies and toddlers love to see how things fit together, and this includes trying to shove things into electrical outlets. Find quality outlet covers that are difficult to remove. While they may cause you some frustration when you need to plug-in the vacuum, they will prove impossible for your child to remove.
- Prepare your doors for mobile children. Even crawling babies are fascinated by how doors open and close. Place rubber stoppers on the tops of your doors to prevent them from slamming on your child’s fingers. Doorknob covers will keep your toddler from being able to open the door to go outside when you aren’t looking. You can also place door locks on the entrances to closets or rooms that you don’t want your children exploring.
- Remove all cords from your window blinds or shades. The plastic or metal knobs at the ends are choking hazards, and the cords can strangle children.
- Place all poisonous materials, including medications and household cleaners, in a high place that your toddler or baby cannot reach.
- Use a lid lock on the toilet. Most children are fascinated by potties, and they want to play with them as much as possible. While this is great during potty training, it isn’t helpful when you can’t find the watch that you received for your birthday. Keep your precious items and your child safe by installing a toilet lid lock that only adults can operate.
- Inspect all of your baby gear to make sure that it meets safety standards. Items that hold babies should have straps around the waist and between the legs so that the baby can’t slide out. This includes swings, carriers and high chairs.
- Soften the edges of tables and hearths with blankets or foam. This will protect your little one from hurting himself as he is learning to walk.
Be sure to monitor each room and its contents as your child grows. Your children will still need your help to keep them safe as they get older.
Author Bio
Greg Robinson is the Social Media Coordinator at Vuezone.com, a completely wireless personal remote video monitoring network that is often used as a pet cam, nanny cam, or just to keep an eye on what you care about most while you’re away.
