It may be hard to imagine, but your baby will soon grow into a crawling/walking/jumping little one. They’ll be ready to explore before you know it, so it’s important to make sure your home is safe.
Take it room by room
Break it down one room at a time. This can help make the task less daunting. Start with the smallest room in your home and work your way up.
Create a to-do list
Create a to-do list for each room. Look around and spot the areas that need work. There are some things you’ll want to do in every room like:
- Cover outlets
- Secure furniture
- Check CO2/smoke alarms
- Tuck away cords
- Pick up small items that could be choking hazards
Use baby gates
If your baby is already crawling, use baby gates to keep them in a contained space as you work. This is the best way to keep babies and toddlers out of harm if an area isn’t safe for them.
Put away anything dangerous or breakable
Make sure glass, chemicals, medicine, candy, etc. are out of reach of tiny hands. But remember, children still need to be watched closely. They can get into everything, and the best precaution is supervision.
Secure heavy objects
It may help to get on the floor and look from a baby’s view. Tippable furniture should be secured to a stud in the wall. Your baby will begin pulling themselves up on furniture, so clear off surfaces too.
Keep bathroom doors closed & locked if possible
Babies can drown in a very small amount of water. Your bathroom may also contain things like cleaning supplies and medicine, so keep the bathroom off-limits. Once your little one can turn doorknobs, an external lock may come in handy.
Tuck away cords
If you have corded window blinds, wrap the cord up and pin it well out of reach of small children. Do the same for electrical cords.
Pick up small items
If an item can fit in the hole of a paper towel roll, it can be a choking hazard. Walk around the house and collect small items to keep away from your little one. Look for things like magnets, keys, trinkets, jewelry, board game/puzzle pieces, etc.
Be aware of stairs
Keep stairs off limits by using baby gates or closing and locking doors.
Check your water heater
If you can, make sure your hot water heater is set to 120 degrees or less to prevent burns.
Use covers & locks
Use covers and locks for stove knobs, the toilet seat, cabinets, etc. Use corner covers on furniture to prevent bumps and scrapes. You can make your own corner covers using tennis balls, pool noodles, or foam from the hardware store.
Keeping your little one safe during their adventures is important. You’ve got this!