Have you ever tried cooking and babysitting at the same time? It’s not easy! This is the perfect double-edged sword scenario we could think of because you most likely need to cook food to eat, yet you also need to watch your child – and I’m sure no one wants them in the kitchen while cooking. So what do you do?
When you have a baby, one of the first things you need to do is baby-proof your home. This is important for two reasons: first so that your child can explore safely; and second, so that you can rest easy knowing that your child isn’t in danger when you’re not around. In this article, we will discuss some of the best ways to baby-proof your home. We’ll also provide a few tips on what NOT to do when baby-proofing!
What You Should Do
Always start by doing a thorough assessment of your home. Look for anything that could pose a danger to your children, such as sharp edges, electrical outlets, and small objects that could be swallowed. Once you’ve identified the potential hazards in your home, you can start taking steps to mitigate them.
One of the best ways to baby-proof your home is to purchase a baby-proofing kit. These kits come with all the necessary safety equipment, including adjustable safety straps, outlet protectors, and door locks.
In addition to using a baby-proofing kit, there are a few other things you can do to make your home safe for your child. For example, you should always keep dangerous chemicals and cleaning supplies out of reach. You should also install safety gates at the top and bottom of any stairs in your home. Windows and doors are another potential hazards; make sure to keep all doors and windows locked when your child is home alone.
The most important tip for safety is to never leave your child alone for a long period of time. It is good to have baby play gates (if you have the space) so that your child remains inside a safe space while you’re not always observing them. Keep big, soft, non-hazardous items inside this playpen so that you are stress-free.
Things You Should Buy:
If your baby hasn’t arrived yet it is also good to have a shopping list for baby-proofing items. These also make great gifts for baby showers or baby shower registries:
- Safety Gates
- Window Locks
- Cabinet & Drawer Locks
- Corner Guards
- Edge Guards
- Adjustable Safety Strap
- Outlet Protectors
- Toilet Locks
- Door Knob Covers
- Door Stopper (so they don’t slam their fingers)
- Anti-Tip Furniture Straps or Anchors
These are just some of the things you can do to baby-proof your home. By taking these precautions, you can ensure that your child will be safe and sound when they explore their surroundings.
What You Should NOT Do
There are a few things you should avoid doing when baby-proofing your home. First, never use furniture to block off areas that you don’t want your child to access. This can be dangerous, as it can tip over and hurt your child. Second, don’t rely on baby gates to keep your child contained; always use them in addition to other safety measures, such as locks and straps. Finally, never leave small objects lying around that your child could choke on; always put them away in a safe place. Chemicals, small objects, electrical outlets, corners, and literally everything is a danger so you must assess and prevent them accordingly.
Make sure your child has no access to small metals or electrical appliances. It may seem annoying but outlet protectors are very important baby-proofing items. Add one to any outlet you can find and make sure you never leave a cable dangling at your child’s reach. Secure any cable to the wall or hide it so that it is not easily visible.
Restrooms are another area of the home that needs to be baby proofed. Toilet locks are a must, as well as door knob covers and door stoppers. Keep all cleaning supplies out of reach, and consider installing a child safety seat in the tub so your little one can’t slip and fall. We suggest never leaving this room open even though you’ve baby proofed it considering how many hazards and how unsanitary these rooms are.
Last but not least, never trust your children on couches or high furniture. They might be more visible to you but lower on the ground is safer. They are prone to falling off even if they can discern the heights. A playpen is the best alternative to this and adding a couple of baby monitors around the house helps your parental supervision (LITERALLY).
Eventually, your baby will crawl onto things like a spider and will learn to climb some of your safety traps, but by then you will have upgraded some of your household items. By following these tips, you can ensure a safe and happy home.
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