When your child transitions from baby to toddler and starts exploring your home on their own, a whole new level of parenting begins. You need eyes in the back of your head and at ground level to see what your interested child has in their sights.
Baby proofing is vital to protect both babies and your home from the destruction little fingers and mouths can cause. After all, you need to keep your little one out of harm's way, and there are plenty of evident and hidden dangers around your house.
But before you rush out to a retailer such as Foryourlittleone to buy babyproofing items, you need to identify which areas of your home need to be baby-proofed.
Get On Their Level
You need to get down on your hands and knees and see your home from your baby’s level. Take pictures, write lists, make notes and be as thorough as possible, so you know precisely what needs to be babyproofed. If they are starting to crawl and toddle, chances are more significant dangers can be safe now; you need to figure out what is within their grasp to make everywhere safe.
Cover It Up
These include electrical sockets, outlets, anything that can cause baby harm, and get it covered. Low opening windows, pet food bowls, low hanging decor or ornaments, or doors that can be opened from the bottom all need covers to keep little fingers out.
Lock It Up
While you are checking which cupboard doors can be opened from baby height, you need to identify which ones need locks on. This goes for front-loading laundry machines, refrigerators, supply cupboards, pantries, and so on. Use safety gates to block access and keep your baby safe.
Up High
Not high fives, but anything your baby can grab at and explore that could be dangerous needs to be moved up high out of reach: chemicals, pet food, small objects such as tealights or decorative stones, etc. Get them up high and out of the danger zone.
Secure It
If you have free-standing appliances or furniture that can be easily moved, secure it to the walls or close it off using safety gates. If an item of furniture, for example, isn't attached to the wall, the weight of your toddler pulling themselves up against it or knocking into it can cause it to topple on them. TVs and furniture that have tipped over have caused the death of 450 children since 2000. That is almost two deaths per month from unsecured items around the home. Eliminate this risk by securing it with a strap to a solid wall.
Alarms
Alarms can alert you to many incidents around the house. Video baby monitors allow you to get first-hand access to what your baby is doing. Still, alarms for carbon monoxide or smoke can help you avoid danger by quickly alternating you to a problem. You can never be too careful, especially with electrical equipment. Electrical appliances and items in the home were involved in the start of over 5,000 fires in the US alone in 2020. Working smoke alarms can save your life. Check them every month.
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