Submitted by Alicia Rennoll …
It’s estimated the every 8 minutes, a toddler under the age of 3 is admitted to the emergency room due to a household injury. It may not seem like it, but there are a number of things that can pose a risk to little ones beyond the obvious staircases and electrical outlets. Whether you’re an expectant mother-to-be or just relocating to a new space, there are several things to keep in mind when making your home a truly safe space for the whole family.
Cover Every Room
While it’s unlikely that you’re child will be hanging out in any room unattended, it’s still best to make sure that all areas of your home are safe – even spaces that are unlikely to host your tot. Each room will have some overlap in safety needs as well as their own specifics, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom. Make a child and baby proofing checklist for each room in your home.
Block any stairs with baby gates, secure large furniture (like bookshelves) by anchoring them to the wall, cover sharp corners of tables and TV stands, and seal off electrical outlets and cords. Baby locks can be placed on kitchen and bathroom cabinets, the toilet, and the refrigerator. There may be additional safety considerations to make for your kitchen, so give everything a thorough check, including any appliances and drawers you may have.
Crawl from Wall to Wall
It may be relatively easy to protect against risks that you’re aware of, but what about the ones that are often overlooked? In order to detect all potential dangers, get down on the floor – no kidding – and crawl along each wall, across the room, and essentially over all floors. This gives you the same visual perspective as your child, and will allow you to see things you would have otherwise missed. Things like loose nails in base or floor boards, carpet staples/tacks, sharp floor strips, etc. Additionally, due to the humidity in Florida homes, this is a good way to check floors and walls for moisture buildup that could lead to mold.
Check for Recalls
In addition to your home itself being baby proofed, it’s important to ensure that the things inside of it are safe as well. For starters, some things (like glass table tops) are simply a no-go when it comes to kids, so consider replacing this type of adult-oriented furniture. Your baby’s bed, car seat, highchair, swing, and other such things should also be considered. There’s an increasing issue with purchasing used baby gear that has become defective (unbeknownst to the buyer) and/or is recalled for safety issues. Make sure you do your research on the make and model of your baby items, and if possible, register them so that you’re alerted to any recalls.
Without a doubt, one of the first things that needs to be done when bringing home a new baby, or bringing baby to a new home, is making adjustments to ensure their safety. It can seem overwhelming, as much of parenting tends to be, but take things one room at a time, and you’ll soon have some peace of mind.