Best Baby Proofing Products to Safeguard Your Home
Bringing your new little one home is an exciting moment for both parents. However, it can also come with a little overwhelming. This could be the moment that you realize that you are responsible for this baby’s entire well-being and safety. You might even be asking yourself, did I make sure that all the areas in the home are baby-proofed? The best thing about baby-proofing your home is that it is a simple easy task with some guidance. With a little help from a checklist that we walk through below, your home will be baby-proofed in no time.
What Does Baby Proofing Mean?
Baby-proofing your home involves finding those areas that could be harmful or hazardous to your new little one. It spans across various domains including electrical safety, securing furniture, preventing falls, and safeguarding against choking hazards. The key is to be proactive by investing in baby-proofing products that will keep your little one safe from harm’s way.
Baby Proofing Essentials: A Room-by-Room Guide
Start With The Living Room
You want to make sure you secure any furniture that can fall over such as TVs, bookshelves, and heavy furniture. Babies can pull themselves up and use furniture for support, leading to potential accidents if these items are not secured.
Along with items that need to be secured to the wall, you will also need to secure the sharp corners of furniture such as coffee tables and plants that are in square vases with baby-proofing products such as corner protectors. In the case that your baby bumps up against a corner and falls, think about putting area rugs in your living room if your flooring is hardwood to soften the fall.
Electric and Technology
Today we have all types of gadgets that require cords leading to electrical outlets. Additionally, with all technology, we can potentially have small objects that help them function properly. Below we walk through some of these that need to be baby-proofed:
- Electrical Outlets: Insert safety plugs into all unused electrical outlets. Consider using sliding outlet covers for frequently used outlets.
- Cord Organization: Organize and secure any cords that might be left free to hang.
- Keep electrical cords out of reach by using cord shorteners or by securing them against walls.
- Laptop Computers: Ensure these are put away somewhere high as they can be picked up and potentially dropped by the baby.
- Small Remotes: You want to secure small remotes as these can cause a choking hazard if your baby puts them in their mouth.
The Kitchen is Next
Your kitchen has many objects that are put away that a baby can get their hands on by simply opening a cabinet door. You want to make sure to install a child-proofing product called a magnetic safety lock kit that prevents babies from getting into locked cabinets and drawers, especially those containing cleaning supplies, sharp objects, and small appliances. You also want to consider putting a lock on your refrigerator as well.
Stove Safety
You will want to cover your stove knobs to make sure that your child cannot turn the burners on. A stove guard can also help keep little hands away from hot surfaces.
High-Chair Safety
Your baby can get excited and move around frequently when sitting in their highchair. Always use the safety harness on the highchair and never leave your baby unattended.
Baby Proof Your Bathroom
Toilet Safety
Just like your pets like to get into the toilet water, your baby can also reach this area, and the last thing you want is to have a baby covered in toilet water. To prevent accidental drowning, germs, and exploration you want to baby-proof your toilet with an adjustable safety strap.
Bathtub Safety
Use a nonslip mat in the bathtub and never leave your baby unattended. Install a spout cover to prevent injuries from bumps.
Secure Hazardous Materials
Your home is probably filled with different medications ranging from cold medications or anything you might take for your overall health. To ensure your baby’s safety, store all medications in high cabinets secured with child-proof locks.
Hot Water Safety
You want to be proactive in case your child turns on a facet without you seeing it. You want to set your water heaters to a warm comfortable setting to prevent burning.
Assess the Bedroom for Safety
Crib Safety
Ensure the crib meets modern safety standards. The mattress should be firm and fit snugly. Remove any pillows, stuffed toys, or heavy blankets.
Window and Night Light Safety
Install window stops and guards to prevent falls. Additionally, use baby-safe nightlights if necessary, ensuring they are cool to the touch and positioned out of the baby’s reach.
Prioritize the Nursery
This is your baby’s safe space. Your baby will spend most of their time in this room so you want to make sure you have the right baby-proofing products to make this space safe.
Changing Table
Always use the adjustable safety strap on changing tables. Keep diapers, wipes, and other essentials within arm’s reach, so you never have to leave your baby unattended.
Baby Monitor and Toys
Make sure baby monitor cords are out of the reach of the baby. Secure the monitor itself well away from the crib. Also, inspect toys for small parts, sharp edges, and ensure they are age-appropriate.
General Safety Measures
Baby Gates
Use baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs and restrict access to certain rooms. Make sure gates meet current safety standards.
Door Stops and Door Finger Guards
We often forget how little our baby’s hands are. To prevent doors from slamming shut on small fingers apply door stops and guards.
Choking Hazards
Little hands can pick up small objects easily. Make sure to always assess your baby’s environment to remove any of these small items.
Baby Proofing Is Ongoing
Even when you think your home is safe from all the baby-proofing products you have installed, you will realize you might have missed something. Do not worry, baby-proofing your home is ongoing, especially as your little one grows. However, taking the right steps to keep your baby safe will help to give you peace of mind while your baby runs free around your home.
