How to Baby Proof Your Home
June 28, 2011
Some of the things to look for to ensure baby safety:
Hazards on his level such as: small toys (Lego is a big one!), bits of paper, fuzz, food.
Hazards on the level he can reach: books, papers, plastic bags, anything like scissors or utensils that have been left out.
Hazards he can get into: Drawers, cupboards, boxes — These should all have latches or be shut up so he can’t get into them.
Hazards he can hit or bump: coffee tables (our oldest still has a bump by his eye after four years!!), fireplaces (including any hearth around them), edges and corners.
Other hazards: the biggie–electrical outlets–these should all be plugged if not being used, outlets being used should be protected in some way (we have fencing around those areas or tables placed in the way), any chemicals or cleaning supplies should be put away.
Other ways to baby proof your home: anything breakable should be placed out of reach or put away (Most of my elephant collection has never been unpacked because there isn’t a safe place for it.), everyone in the house needs to watch what they leave around the house. Older siblings especially should be made aware that babies put everything in their mouths (that’s how they experience the world), and they should take care to keep small toys, etc. off the floor and out of reach.
If possible, make one room of the house that’s completely baby proof and baby safe. Block it off with fences or gates so you can put baby down in a safe place if you have to answer the phone, help an older child or need both hands for a task.
Hazards on his level such as: small toys (Lego is a big one!), bits of paper, fuzz, food.
Hazards on the level he can reach: books, papers, plastic bags, anything like scissors or utensils that have been left out.
Hazards he can get into: Drawers, cupboards, boxes — These should all have latches or be shut up so he can’t get into them.
Hazards he can hit or bump: coffee tables (our oldest still has a bump by his eye after four years!!), fireplaces (including any hearth around them), edges and corners.
Other hazards: the biggie–electrical outlets–these should all be plugged if not being used, outlets being used should be protected in some way (we have fencing around those areas or tables placed in the way), any chemicals or cleaning supplies should be put away.
Other ways to baby proof your home: anything breakable should be placed out of reach or put away (Most of my elephant collection has never been unpacked because there isn’t a safe place for it.), everyone in the house needs to watch what they leave around the house. Older siblings especially should be made aware that babies put everything in their mouths (that’s how they experience the world), and they should take care to keep small toys, etc. off the floor and out of reach.
If possible, make one room of the house that’s completely baby proof and baby safe. Block it off with fences or gates so you can put baby down in a safe place if you have to answer the phone, help an older child or need both hands for a task.
Posted by diane wolf.
Diane is a stay-at-home mom of three little boys. Keeping everyone safe and healthy is a major concern.
