Tips for Childproofing your Home

Kitchen

Kitchens are an overall hazard zone for young ones. Which is why we highly recommend having baby gates at entrances to the kitchen. However, having gates alone will not suffice and you should ensure you take other measures. Keep dishes out of reach in high cupboards. Installing covers for your stove knobs will eliminate the chance of a stove top accidently getting turned on. When you are cooking, if possible, try to only use the back burners, this will lessen that chance of anyone reaching up and grabbing a pot or handle and burning themselves. You should also have locks on your cupboards and place any knives, cleaners, and other potential hazards in them when not being used. Consider also placing lockable covers in any garbage cans to eliminate choking hazards and save you time from cleaning up a big mess, that goes for children or pets. If you have a dining area, do not use tablecloths that hang over the edge because those curious minds might grab it and take everything down with it.

Kitchen Checklist:

• Childproof cabinets and cupboards so your child cannot access the breakable and harmful contents.
• Instal stove knob covers so your baby cannot accidently turn on the burner.
• Lock garbage can to save cleanup.
• Be mindful of using table clothes.

Livingroom

Living rooms are an area you and you child likely spend a lot of time. Which is why you want to make sure any hazards are taken care of. For starters, ensure any breakable decorations are out of reach for children, such as picture frames and candles. If you have a fireplace, you should make sure it has a cover to stop anyone from getting near it. Coffee tables are another hazard people may not consider initially but as your little one begins to crawl and walk, tripping and smacking their head on the corner becomes a hazard. Especially glass coffee tables which have sharp corners and are more susceptible to shattering. Many parents suggest a round coffee table or even a cushioned ottoman that can double as a table. Consider mounting your television which will eliminate the chance of your child crawling on it and injuring themselves. Furthermore, mounting your TV will allow you to hide your chords which are also a hazard. Which brings us to electrical outlets; any outlets that are not being utilized should have a safety cover to avoid anything being stuck in them. If any of your window coverings have cords, tie the chords off so they are out of reach. Lastly, if you have any stand-alone lamps, try to move them behind other furniture to lessen the chance of them being pushed over.

Livingroom Checklist:

• Move breakable decorations out of reach.
• Cover fireplaces with gate.
• Childproof power outlets with covers.
• Buy child friendly coffee tables or purchase corner covers.
• Replace blinds with cordless ones or tie off dangling strings.

Bedrooms

Everyone has seen those funny videos of babies crawling out of their cribs in the middle of the night. But this can be hazardous if not everything in your nursery is baby proofed. Any shelves or dressers should be secured to the wall to avoid falling on your child. Safety guards should be installed on windows so your child cannot accidently escape. Placing a carpet under the crib will help cushion a fall in case your child does make a run for it. It is also suggested to not hang mobiles above the beds as they can be a choking hazard.

Bedroom Checklist:

• Secure any large furniture to the wall.
• Safety guards on windows to avoid escapees.
• Avoid hanging decorations above the crib or in reach.
• Place a rug below the crib to ease possible falls.

Bathrooms

To avoid burns it is suggested you make sure your hot-water tank is set to put out less than 120 degrees. By setting your water at this temperature it ensures your child will not get burnt even if they turn the tap all the way to hot. It is always an exciting milestone when your child starts washing their own hands, but to avoid any head injuries install soft guards on the faucets. Having said that, it is recommended you never leave your child unsupervised in the bathroom due to the numerous hazards such as hitting their heads on vanities or tubs or drowning in as little as a few inched of water. Furthermore, we often store cleaning supplies in the cabinets which should have a childproof lock on them to avoid poisoning.

Bathroom Checklist:

• Ensure your hot water is not above 120 degrees to avoid burns and scolds.
• Install faucet guards to soften a fall or hit.
• Childproof cabinets to ensure children cannot get into medication, cleaning supplies or other hazardous items.