Before your little one arrives, you will store away the objects that can harm them. These include storing away of heavy objects, showpieces made of glass, inflammable objects, weapons, etc. But does this complete the babyproof checklist? Is there something more you can do too? Parents who are welcoming their first child often wonder how to babyproof house. They either overdo it or completely underdo it. This is why you need a complete checklist for babyproofing so that you can tick the things you have done.
There are so many parts of the house that may seem normal to us, but maybe harmful to the baby. Babyproofing usually occurs when your child learns to move by themselves, by crawling, walking, running, etc. If you wish to know that apart from the obvious concerns, which are the more detailed aspects of your house you need to babyproof, and then read on, and you will know the 11 tips for a babyproof house.
Tips for babyproofing the house:
1. Hot water
The most interesting thing about a baby is that they are always curious and fall into accidents the moment they are outside your eyesight. The babyproofing the house also includes securing the temperature of the water. Your child will turn many knobs in the house, and one such can be the knob for hot water. They can easily burn themselves with hot water. You can either keep the switch of your geezer shut at all times or, you can adjust the temperature to be less than 120 degrees.
2. Bathroom
When you ask yourself how to babyproof the house, your first step is to lock the cabinets and toilet of the bathroom. Children can drown in very little water. They can also open the cabinets and consume the cleaners and other chemical-filled products in the bathroom. They also love to play with the toilet lid and can hurt themselves. The bathroom floor should always be dry to prevent injuries due to slipping on wet floors.
3. Crib adjustments
If your baby is a newborn, then the crib settings can be higher from the floor level. But when they are more developed and can move by themselves, you need to adjust it in a way that the distance between the crib and the floor is quite small. This is because your child can launch himself or herself out of the crib. If the distance is too big, they won’t be able to judge it and will fall. You can also have the railings of the crib quite high so that they can’t cross is. To babyproof the crib completely, you can also avoid putting anything in the crib with the baby as it can either choke them or get tangled with their limbs.
4. Heavy furniture
Our heavy furniture may be small and light for us, but for a toddler, it is quite heavy and may harm them. When children start to walk and crawl, they will pull themselves up using the support of the furniture. This will cause heavy furniture to topple and fall on them. Always keep the top of your cabinets free of objects. For example, you can store a stack of newspapers, and if they try to stand using it, they will fall and get injured. The babyproof products will help you to store them away and at a height so that it is out of the toddler’s reach.
5. Sockets
Babies have a habit of putting their fingers in the electricity sockets. When you check for babyproof products in India, you will need objects that will cover your sockets as well. You also need to babyproof your switches either wise an accident can occur if they keep switching it on and off.
6. Window cords
The number one babyproof house tips include parents replacing the stray cord of the window with a cordless option. The children either put things in their mouths or tie them around their necks. The stray cord can harm them severely if they put it around their neck while playing. If you don’t wish to replace the cords, then you can tie them up and store it out of your child’s reach.
7. Small objects
Objects such as Lego pieces, toy cars, toilet paper roll, etc. can either stub the child’s feet or cause them to trip and fall. Hence, when you search for the tips for the babyproofing house, keep the small toys and objects in your child’s room. They should also be stored in a box or their cupboard so that they don’t trip in their rooms as well.
8. Gates around stairs
When your child is young, they don’t understand the concept of turning themselves around and then sitting on the stairs. They will keep climbing, and then squat to sit. They will stumble down the stairs. Install a gate around the stairs that is taller than a baby so that they don’t jump and crossover. For tips to babyproof, keep the gate closed and inaccessible at all times.
9. Laundry and cleaning supplies
One of the most important tips on babyproofing is to keep the laundry and cleaning supplies out of reach from your child. These products have lots of chemicals in them that are harmful to the life and health of your child. Your child will open the cap and put the product in the mouth. Hence, you can babyproof the lower cabinets or store these products on the top shelves so that the baby cannot reach it.
10. A safe place to play
Tips on babyproofing also include for you to create a safe place for your child when you are doing chores or when they are out of your sight. The safe place should be cleared of any stray objects, sharp objects, heavy furniture, etc. You can also invest in a playpen and put your baby in it with their toys.
11. Corners and sharp edges
Parents can get on the floor and look at the house from the height of their baby. The most basic and important babyproof house tip is to check all the corners and the sharp edges of your furniture. When you are on the floor, you will notice what things can be attractive to a baby. You can polish the furniture and make the edges smooth and curvy. The corners that you find may hurt your child either put some furniture around it or make it inaccessible for the child.
When your child will grow the babyproofing needs will change and may increase as well. You will also need to store plastic versions of utensils when they grow up and want to imitate cooking like their parents. Keep them safe from the stove, electricity, and sharp tools around the kitchen as well. When you will observe your child, you will understand what is attractive to them, and you will be able to babyproof your house more effectively.