Babies and toddlers learn by exploring.
Touching, poking, and tasting are all favorite methods of learning
about their big new world. Unfortunately, the world is full of
dangers and hazards. A properly baby proofed home allows a child a
lot more freedom than a home that is not baby proofed. Here are the
basic steps to child proofing your house.
1. First, before you even start,
remember that there will never be a substitute for attentive care
when a little one is around. Babies can get into trouble in a matter
of seconds. But don't let that scare you. People have been raising
children since the beginning of time and you can do it too. Do let
it make you aware how important baby proofing really is.
2. Find out about all the innovative
baby safety devices there are on the market these days, and avail
yourself of all that apply to your own situation. Most child
proofing gadgets do not cost very much, but some can be a nuisance to
the parents. For instance, door knob covers make it hard for parents
to open the door, too. So in many cases, it is a good idea to know
what you need to protect before you buy the gizmos.
3. Cover your electrical outlets. One
type of child proofing device you are sure to want are outlet covers
for your outlets. Precocious tots can figure out how to pry out the
simplest type of electrical outlet covers, so get good ones. There
are also covers for outlets that are in use, which cover the
electrical plugs and have notches for the cords that are plugged in.
Another way to protect little ones from their own curiosity around
electrical outlets is to arrange large items of furniture so that the
outlets are inaccessible and not visible.
4. Get all poisons out of the way.
Don't simply leave them in low cabinets and put some sort of latch on
the door. Get them into a high cabinet, and then latch the door as
needed. In fact, if you have a little climber who is really curious,
you may have to keep household chemicals in locked cabinets. It may
seem like a hassle, but if there were ever an accident, you would
never forgive yourself, so do what it takes to keep poisons locked
away.
5. Keep all sharp items and breakable
glass stored out of the way, too.
6. Be careful with any firearms in the
house. Keep them unloaded and out of reach. Period. That should go
without saying.
7. Store your purse or diaper bag in a
place inaccessible to the baby. Try a hook on the wall by the door.
It will keep you from misplacing your purse at the same time.
8. Install childproof mechanisms that
make it possible to close the door to any room you don't want your
child to enter without your knowledge. For instance, the bathroom
usually needs to be off limits until potty training time. Doors that
lead to the garage, older children's rooms, and laundry room are
other doors you will want to be able to shut so that they cannot open
them.
9. Baby gates are a wonderful help in
some situations. New ones are designed to be easy for an adult to
open and walk through. Remember not to trust a baby gated in a baby
proofed room for very long if you are not in there. It is almost
impossible to have a room so baby proofed that there is absolutely no
chance of peril.
10. Have a play yard (they used to be
called "playpens") for those cases when you have to run to
the door or the phone. Have the play yard situated in an area where
the child can't pull things off end tables or otherwise reach any
sort of dangerous items.
11. You probably already have a
cordless phone, but if you don't, now is a good time to get one.
With a cordless phone, you are free to go where you need to go, while
you are talking to someone. You can clip it to your belt and have it
handy if you are expecting a call as well.
12. Get a newer crib that has the
slats less than three inches apart. Use a bumper guard around the
perimeter while the child is small. Watch out about string ties on
anything used in the crib. There should be snapping elastic bands
and the like, which should be no longer than two or three inches
long. Don't use pillows while the child is very small. Don't pile
tons of toys in the crib either.
13. Windows offer special dangers to
small children. Investigate the innovative products on the market if
you have windows, especially in upper story rooms, that are
accessible to the toddler.
14. In the kitchen, be careful and
always know where the little one is while you are cooking. You may
like to clean out part of the lower cabinets for a safe place to
play. Maybe he could have a few toy pans and plastic food to play
with. Always use back burners and turn the pan handles to the back
while cooking.
15. Door hinges are responsible for a
lot of pinched fingers. Door hinge covers are available.
Finally, remember that it is OK to say
"No," "Ouch," or "Hot!" or something
similar to teach a little one about the dangers in the home. While
we would like to just let them roam without any danger anywhere, it
usually is not possible to have a place absolutely safe for the
child. Teach them about the dangers of the world. After all, older
children and even adults have to deal with dangerous items and
situations, and must learn healthy respect for tools, etc. Start
early to teach your little ones about safety.
