Meeting your new baby’s needs is a tough responsibility and while everywhere you go people feel the need to give you advice – the advice to baby-proof your home should be taken to heart. According to experts, most accidents happen in the home. Many of them could be avoided by baby-proofing your home.
When you think of baby-proofing there are probably some basic ideas that come to mind. Most people think of putting covers over electrical outlets and placing soft corner covers on sharp edges, coffee or end tables. It’s usually common sense that reminds parents to keep scissors and knives out of reach and to put a baby gate in front of the stairs. And while these things are important there are plenty of other dangers around your house that you may not be aware of.
Here is a list of safety precautions that are commonly overlooked:
- Keep house plants out of reach because many are poisonous.
- Don’t leave a bucket of water sitting out because your baby could drown.
- Wind up dangling cords to avoid strangulation.
- Install a safety latch on the toilet lid to avoid drowning and smashed fingers.
- Keep washing machine lid closed to avoid drowning.
- Keep wash room door closed to avoid other hidden dangers.
- Store lotions, perfumes, and baby oil out of reach to avoid poisoning.
- Install a soft spout cover on the bath tub spigot to avoid cuts, scrapes, and bruising.
- Use a rubber bath mat or rubber appliqués in the tub to avoid dangerous falls.
- Secure the knob on a propane tank to avoid a dangerous gas leak.
- Install stove dial covers to avoid a fire or gas leak.
The items in this list are commonly overlooked when parents are getting the house ready for a new baby in the home. But don’t be fooled into thinking these are the only risks lurking around your home. Try thinking like a child, better yet, get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your house. What items catch your attention and what do you think little hands might get into? Anything that crosses your mind while you do this exercise should be secured because if you noticed it, chances are that your child will too.
While some people feel secure in their own efforts to baby proof their home, many do not. If you’re one of those that would feel better with additional input, try using a baby-proofing service. There are actually businesses out there to help you prepare your house for little ones.
However you choose to go about it, baby-proofing your home is a must. Starting early (even before the baby is born) is best because it’s so easy to get distracted. So if you start early and do a little at a time, you should be able to finish by the time the baby is born or by the time he’s old enough to get into mischief. With most accidents being preventable, make sure to protect your family and prevent a disaster from happening in your home.
