Believe it or not, your swaddled newborn will become an adventurous cruiser and crawler in no time. And that means you need to start preparing now. But how to babyproof your home? And where do you even begin?
Don’t worry, Mama. We’re covering everything you need to know down below.
How to Babyproof Your Home
Thinking about babyproofing your entire home can quickly become overwhelming. That’s why we recommend tackling it room by room:
First, Babyproof the Bathroom.
A baby can drown in as little as two inches of water. Therefore, you don’t want to take any chances!
Exterior door lock. Exterior door locks are easy to install and serve as your first line of defense.
Toilet seat lock. A safety latch prevents your little one from peering inside and/or falling in.
Cabinet lock. Especially if you store appliances, medications, or toxic cleaning products inside.
Tub temperature. Set your water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less to prevent burns.
Then, Babyproof the Kitchen.
Your kitchen is full of sharp objects, high heat, and cleaning supplies that you’ll need to keep away from your little one.
Stove knob covers. They prevent your baby from accidentally turning the stove on. (Locking the oven door is also a great idea.) Additionally, cook as much as you can on the back burners, so pan handles aren’t reachable.
Keep knives out of reach. This probably goes without saying, but you should never leave a knife on the counter. Always store sharp objects in a locked drawer or in a block that’s out of your toddler’s reach.
Unplug appliances. Unplug appliances and stash the cords whenever they aren’t in use. Toddlers are notoriously curious about the world around them, and this protects little fingers.
Lock the cabinets. Just like the bathroom, install a lock on any cabinet containing cleaning products or other dangerous liquids.
Skip tablecloths. Your toddler might be tempted to yank on the edges and topple heavy serving dishes.
Keep matches out of sight. We’re pretty sure this goes without saying.
Finally, Babyproof the Rest of the House.
We recommend installing exterior door locks in the laundry room and home office. Then, here’s how to babyproof your home:
Outlet covers. Electrical outlet covers prevent tiny fingers and toys from making their way inside.
Furniture mounts. These keep heavy furniture — like the dresser in the nursery or a bookcase — from accidentally toppling over. (Don’t forget the TV.)
Coffee table corners. Cover the sharp edges of coffee tables to prevent bumps and bruises.
Electrical and window cords. Loose cords pose a strangulation risk. Opt for cordless window coverings whenever possible and tie lamp and computer cords out of your baby’s reach.
Want to leave it to the experts? If you’re located in the DFW area, we recommend Infant House for all your babyproofing needs.
Infant Consulting in Houston
If you’re a new parent, we hope today’s article helped you understand how to babyproof your home. But of course, if you’d like a little extra support, our expert Nurses and Nightingales are here for you.
As infant sleep and care consultants in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and beyond, we can help babyproof your home and create a safe and nurturing environment for your little one. Email melissa@newbornnightingales.com to get started.
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