If you are expecting a new baby in your home, you owe it to yourself to baby-proof the house ASAP. This basic advice applies to new parents as well as any caregiver such as a grandparent or daycare provider who will be responsible for caring for the baby.
First, think like a baby. Everything looks so good! Babies like to touch and feel anything within their reach. Their chubby little fingers stroke and grasp at objects. As a result, objects can come crashing down. They also use their mouths for sensory explorations. This is where babies can get into big trouble. Anything and everything goes into their mouths. Choking is a major concern.
Now that you've thought like a baby, get down on their level and take a look around and continuing to think like a baby. First, remove all small choking hazards. Use a toilet paper tube as a guide. If it can fit in the tube, you must remove it from the babies reach.
Next, look for strangulation hazards such as cords, blinds, electrical cords, and anything else that a baby could get wrapped up in. Remove these items or secure them out of harm's way.
Now search for and remove poisonous items including plants, cleaning supplies, and medications. Keep this poison control number prominently posted in your home: 1-800-222-1222.
Look around each room for items the child can pull up on such as a coffee table. Make sure that he can't pull up and reach something dangerous. Look for items he may grasp and pull on top of him including doilies and tablecloths. If he can grab the slightest piece of it, he can pull it, along with whatever is on top of it, down.
Secure all water features because babies can drown in as little as an inch of water. Keep toilet seats down, drain in-ground fish ponds, fence your pool, use a baby proof lid on hot tubs, remove buckets, and any other source of water in and around your home. Most importantly, never leave your baby unattended near water.
Use baby-proofing tools. You'll find a huge selection of tools designed to assist you in baby-proofing your home. Depending on the age of the baby, you may use some of these tools right away, or you may wait until he's walking. Regardless, it's never too early to begin. You'll find gates, bumpers, electrical outlet covers, doorknob covers, refrigerator locks, cabinet locks, toilet seat locks, and more.
Other steps in baby-proofing your home include providing proper bedding. Babies can become wedged under pillows and suffocate, adults can accidentally rollover on them if sharing a bed. The best place for a baby to sleep is in his crib or bassinet with only a bottom sheet. Use a blanket sleeper outfit to keep him warm. Make sure the crib meets all modern safety rules with no gaps between the mattress and nothing the baby could get tangled up in. Make sure the baby sleeps on his back to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Feeding a baby age appropriate food is important too. Avoid giving any food when a child is lying down. Make sure he is sitting upright and the food is the appropriate type for his developmental stage. Avoid popcorn, hard candy, hot dogs, grapes, raisins, raw vegetables, nuts, and other foods that could get stuck in your baby's throat.
Keep it up. Baby-proofing isn't a one time deal, it is an ongoing process. Keep floors swept and vacuumed, scan rooms for hazards, train older siblings to keep their toys secured in their own rooms, and supervise your baby.
The most important tool in baby-proofing your home is you. Your watchful eye is the best guard against danger.
