Eager parents across the world, with the best of intentions, begin thinking about making their home childproof almost as soon as they find out they are pregnant. This obsession can be chalked up to the natural desire to keep our children safe. However, far too many parents take this intuition over the top, making childproofing much more of a hassle than it really needs to be.
First of all, during infancy, there is little childproofing that will come into play. In fact, the most essential part of keeping your baby safe is remaining vigilant, learning infant CPR, having a fantastic baby monitor, and following some simple and concise sleep rules. Make sure that baby is always put to sleep on their back, and that the crib is free of pillows, heavy blankets, or other fluffy decorations that could cause suffocation. Check on them often and never allow them to sleep on their bellies.
Soon enough, as mobility increases, you will see that even the best baby or childproofing methods aren’t foolproof. You will need to constantly supervise. The first course of action is to cover all electrical outlets in your home and ensure that your water heater is set to 120 degrees to avoid accidental scald injuries. Always use the harness straps that come with your bouncy seats, high chairs, and car seats (rear-facing) when your baby is in the car.
Essential Steps for Childproofing Your Home
Eventually, the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms will need to be childproofed as well. Things can get tricky when your baby is crawling and pulling up, as often the most uninteresting items to adults are the ones that peak a baby’s curiosity. Hanging electrical cords, drapery pulls, and appliances become especially interesting. Use protective plates to cover the knobs of the stove and DVD players, and make sure that all large bookshelves, entertainment centers, and appliances (like the stove and fridge) are attached to the wall with L-brackets.
Making a home childproof isn’t possible unless you tackle the bathroom. All cleaning supplies, chemicals, makeup, and other toxins should be removed from cabinets. Use cabinet locks and make sure medications are never left where a baby can reach them. Cover the faucets in the tub with protectors to ensure your baby’s head isn’t bruised, and install GFCI outlets near the sink and tub. Non-slip mats should be placed in the tub and shower, and a baby should never be left alone in or around water, even for a split second. One way to keep the bathroom off-limits is to install a high lock to ensure they cannot enter unsupervised. Baby gates can also help. The toilet, believe it or not, causes many drownings each year, so it is advised—both for your baby’s safety and to protect your keys—to install a lid lock.
As you move from room to room to childproof your home, make sure you do so on your knees. This gives you a “bird’s-eye view” of all the things your baby sees on a regular basis and may unveil hidden spots of danger easily overlooked from an adult’s point of view. Look under couches and rugs for choking hazards constantly, and stay vigilant about keeping the floors clean. Speaking of floors, you should also install non-slip backings to any throw rugs in the house, and let your baby and toddler be barefoot if you have hardwood floors.
Your best friend in childproofing is the baby gate. Baby gates come in a wide array of sizes and can fit just about any opening in your home. Be sure to use installed gates at the tops of stairs rather than spring tension gates. Baby gates help you set up a temporary safe haven for your child in one room without restricting their freedom to explore. This also allows you the freedom to run to the bathroom or laundry room without worrying about your baby getting into trouble. Gates can also be easily removed when the baby is asleep, without causing permanent damage to the walls or the flow of your home.
Other necessities for babyproofing include cabinet and drawer locks, doorknob protectors, and door locks. At some point, your baby will want to open and close every door in the house, and one of their favorite pastimes is emptying drawers and cabinets. This can be dangerous for obvious reasons. If you’re worried about damaging your cabinets or furniture, use the locks that install from the inside of the cabinets. This way, no holes are left that may need to be patched later. Avoid using adhesive locks, as most babies can eventually pull these off when they wear out. Also, keep anything unsuitable for a baby or child in places that are high up and out of reach, such as an over-the-fridge cabinet.
There are other important tips for childproofing as well. Never place furniture near windows, as they are a cause of many childhood injuries each year in the United States. If you have low windows, install window locks to prevent a child from accidentally pushing through the screen and falling out. Purchase bumper pads to cover sharp corners that can cause head injuries or bruises. If you have a fireplace or hearth, shield it with fireproof baby-proofing materials.
The one thing about childproofing your home is that it cannot be done without supervision. Even in the most protected homes, children can get injured. In fact, two out of every three injuries that occur to children under the age of six are related to a home safety issue that could have been avoided had the child been properly supervised. Baby monitors, with or without video, can help extend your eyes and ears but should never be relied on solely to protect your child. Use your best judgment, and always remain diligent in your childproofing methods and supervision.
