As all parents know, when it comes to their children, safety is the priority. Even when their children are exploring the world, there's still a need to make the environment they're learning in safe. That's where baby proofing or childproofing comes in! If you're an expecting mother and this term is new to you, baby proofing is the act of making any place (or in this, case your home) a safe environment for your children to crawl, walk, or run in.
Think that you'd like to do this in your home before your little bean arrives? Here's a list of how to baby proof each room in your home.
How to Baby Proof your Kitchen
• Install a baby gate at the entryway to your kitchen. To prevent your child from wandering in the kitchen when you're cooking or you're out, install a baby gate at the entrance of your kitchen. Don't forget to close it to prevent them from walking in.
• Add latches, locks, or covers to certain pieces of equipment in the kitchen. Some of the pieces of equipment where you'll need a lock, latch, or cover are the following: cabinets, drawers, oven, refrigerator, stoves, and garbage can. This'll reduce the risk of your child grabbing onto trash, dropping breakable objects on themselves like bottles or plates, and getting bumps or bruises from hitting their head on cabinet doors or drawers.
• Move or hide potential hazards, cables included, to a place where they can't reach. Objects that should be out of reach by children are microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, plastic bags, objects with sharp edges, knives, cleaning products, small magnets, vitamins, food with attractive packaging, and stools, just in case they climb it to reach higher places in the kitchen.
• Opt to use a placemat versus a tablecloth when you set the table. This practice lessens the risk of your child hurting themselves with shards of glass from a cup or plate.
• Consider the types of furniture you're buying and the material it's made of. Best to avoid tables made of glass tops. Remove rugs for easier cleaning of spills. Double-check if your chairs and tables are strong enough to support the highchair you'll attach to it.
Extra Mama tip: When cooking, move your pots and pans to the back of the stove and turn their handles towards the wall.
How to Baby Proof your Living Room
• Either purchase round pieces of furniture or add corner/edge guards. Just in case your child bumps any part of their body against the piece of furniture, because of the guards, they're less likely to get hurt severely.
• Secure objects and pieces of furniture to prevent them from moving or falling. Some suggestions on what to do are to mount the TV and frames, add non-slip pads under rugs, and move the floor lamps and decorative pieces.
• Either avoid purchasing or hide objects that come with potential hazards. To specify, among these objects are blinds or shades with cords, electric cords, candles, small toys, and pieces of furniture that your kids can climb.
How to Baby Proof your Nursery
• Move or remove objects your baby can grab. It's best if you keep the crib accessory-free and move other pieces of furniture away from the crib.
• Secure objects in the room and prepare in case of possible accidents. Like in the living room, it's recommended that you anchor your drawers to the wall. Also, adding rugs or carpets in the room can help in cushioning your baby's fall; don't forget to add non-slip pads underneath.
• Choose play centers over baby walkers. Baby walkers, although they give your child the chance to explore your home, can also increase the risk of them hitting pieces of furniture or grabbing objects in the room or other rooms.
Mama tip: If you don't have the budget for a play center, you can purchase baby rails and use your bed as your child's makeshift play center.
How to Baby Proof your Bathroom
• Keep all objects out of reach from your baby. From cleaning products to toiletries, and even medication, anything your baby can grab can be a hazard so it's best to keep them hidden from your child or at least placed far enough that they'll be unable to grab them.
• Install locks, latches, and covers. Out of curiosity, your baby may want to explore the toilet or play with the faucets. Prevent any accidents by installing a toilet lock and slipping a cover on your faucets.
• Unplug your hair dryers, curlers, or straighteners when you're finished. This'll prevent any possible electrocutions.
• Place slip-proof mats on your bathroom floor. This isn't only for your child but also for you in case you've just come out of bathing your child and you want to take secure steps as you're carrying your baby.
How to Baby Proof your Whole House
• Install baby gates at the entrance of places that are off-limits. To enumerate, those places are stairs, the kitchen, the garage, and the laundry room.
• Install doorstops and window guards. To make sure that your child's fingers are safe from closing doors and windows, it's best to install doorstops and guards to lessen the risk of that accident happening.
• Make sure your plants are non-toxic. This is just in case your child decides to touch or chew on your houseplants' leaves.
• Place childproof covering on all of your electrical outlets. This will prevent them from unplugging or inserting objects in the plugs that may result in electrocution.
• Stow regular-sized and small batteries in a place where they won't find them. Batteries don't only have the possibility of leaking toxic acid but they can also be a choking hazard if ingested.
Now that most of the how-to's of baby proofing are listed down, you're on your way to making sure your home is safe for your baby to explore.
If it seems like a lot to process, don't worry mama, here's a checklist of the products you need to make baby proofing your house easier.
• Safety Gate
To be installed at the entrance of off-limit areas in the house
• Baby Monitor
To be installed in rooms where your baby mostly stays.
• Door Stopper
To be installed in most or all of the doors in the house.
Check out: Kub's Baby Safety Door Stop
• Outlet Protectors
To be installed in most if not all of the outlets at home.
• Stove Knob Covers
To be slipped on all of the stove knobs.
Check out: Dreambaby-Sanxiao's Stove Knob Covers
• Edge and corner protectors
To be installed on the edges or corners of tables and beds.
• Safety Locks
To be installed on drawers, desks, cabinets, etc.
Check out: Kub's Multifunctional Baby Safety Locks
• Play Area
To be installed in the middle of the nursery or the living room.
• Bed Rails
To be installed on a bed to make a makeshift play area.
Although baby proofing may be a lot of work, remember mama, you're doing this to secure the safety of your baby even in your home. It'll not only benefit your baby but you'll get to see your child explore your home without having to worry about potential hazards.
