If you have a new baby on the way, then one of the first things you have to do is to prepare your home. There are many changes that you should be making to your home to welcome the baby. One of these is to baby-proof it. Fortunately, you don’t need to take a second mortgage to make this happen. Here are some essential tips on how to make your home friendly to your new baby.
Add Safety Gates
Babies can get very curious. While this is a good trait to have, if you take your eyes off of them, they may end up going somewhere you don’t like. If you want to keep your child safe, it is a good idea to install safety gates in the entrances where your child is likely to pass through.
A gate in front of their room will keep them inside when you leave them for some playtime. Additionally, if your home has stairs, putting a safety gate at the top of the stairs will prevent them from falling. Considering that 44 percent of children’s accidents falls, having this can help prevent tragedy.
Increase Electrical Safety
Another problem with curiosity is that babies will poke things to see their reaction. Their fingers will get into various holes. Some of these holes can be dangerous. The biggest problem is that of electrical sockets. Babies putting their fingers in them can be fatal. If possible, request an electrician to install control switches. You can then turn off the power completely to sockets that babies might touch. A cheaper alternative would be to get socket covers but completely cutting the power is better.
Additionally, you should ensure any wires or cables at the floor level are in good condition. Exposed wiring can have your baby getting electrocuted.
Buy Them Safe Toys
Your baby will be spending a lot of its time around the toys you buy him. Buying them the safest possible toys should be your approach when it comes to them. The simplest way to ensure safety is to purchase only high-quality products. Your child will be doing its best to pull apart these toys, and you need them to be tough. Good materials and solid construction will not only allow them to survive but also ensure that they don’t hurt your child in the process.
Take note of choking hazards when it comes to toys. Avoid buying toys with small components like marbles. Your baby will be biting down on things a lot, and you do not want them to swallow these tiny pieces.
Invest In Locks
Another problem with curious babies is that they will open anything. While they may not be able to reach the high door handles, floor cabinets and closets are well within their reach. This is especially bad in your kitchen. If you don’t want your baby to wreck dinnerware and experience cuts from them, you should buy locks to place over these low-hanging doors.
A lock on your toilet is also a good idea. They might enter the bathroom when you are not looking, and the toiler is just the height of a toddler. You don’t want them opening the seat and crawling in.
Cushion Their Falls
While hardwood flooring looks nice, they are not that friendly to children. When they are learning to walk, you need your baby to fall on a soft surface. You don’t have to put carpeting all over the house only in places where your baby will be staying most of the time. Their nursery could use some carpeting while in other parts of the house, you can be more attentive.
Store Dangerous Items Out Of Reach
Babies like to put things in their mouths. If you do not want this behavior to lead to problems, then you need to keep quite a few things out of their reach. Poisonous and hazardous substances should not be stored at the floor level. Invest in cabinets and shelves so that you can place various substances on them. Don’t trust the height of a countertop either. Babies can be persistent and have a surprising reach. Other items you might want to keep out of reach are cosmetics and sharp objects.
The safety of your baby should be a priority for you. It can be surprising how dangerous a normal home can be for a young infant. With the right precautions and some changes, you will be able to reduce the chances of an accident involving your new child.
