A New Parent's Guide to Childproofing
It can be so joyful to bring a new baby home and things like baby
clothing and cribs are fun things to shop for. What new parents sometimes
forget, however, is how to keep their new baby safe from household
hazards that can only afflict a baby or toddler. Childproofing is
very important and should be something you think about before the
baby is born. Let's take a look at some ways you can childproof your
house to protect your baby or toddler from tragic accidents or injuries.
Making Your Home Friendly Yet Safe for Your Little One
It's important to have your home be friendly for kids and
yet safe for them, too. You need to keep the child from chewing
on electrical cords, drinking poisons, getting electrocuted by an
electrical plug, pulling down a table cloth, falling down the stairs
or drowning in the toilet. Kids this age can climb on things, crawl
under things or tip over when you least expect it. You need to be
aware of the potential for danger and do what it takes to keep your
child safe.
Installing Child Safety Gates
Childproofing your home
involves first of all installing child safety gates at the top and
bottom of stairwells. This keeps baby safe at both ends. Make sure
you have a door cover on exterior doors and keep the front door
sealed so your toddler can't get outside by himself. Open deck railings
need wire mesh so baby doesn't get through the slats of the deck,
which are often too wide for babies. You can use acrylic sheets
from the hardware store to cover interior slatted railings that
have slats that are too wide.
Installing Safety Outlet Covers
You need to use outlet covers or sliding outlets that protect your
baby from putting his fingers or sticking something into the outlet.
Outlets are great attractions for kids so as many as you can hide
behind furniture, the better it will be. Make sure you replace the
outlet cover when you're done using the outlet. The sharp
edges of pieces of furniture should be padded and covered so the
baby won't fall into the corners of such objects.
Be careful when childproofing your outdoor area. If you have a
pool, fence it in so the baby doesn't crawl or walk into it. Make
sure that outdoor equipment for playing, like swing sets, are safe
and don't have sharp edges or things your child can get his fingers
pinched in. Steps or ladders for slides should be covered with a
non-slip surface so your toddler doesn't slip on them. Even so,
you need to be vigilant ad watch your child both indoors and out
so accidents don't happen.
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