When you bring your newborn home for the first time, she’ll seem completely vulnerable and defenseless. Everything within her reach can potentially cause injury. For this reason, you’ll find yourself devoting time to making sure nothing near her can cause her harm. It’s a difficult job since babies are naturally curious. They reach out to grab items within their reach without having a clear grasp regarding the potential danger.

But the real job is still to come. When your little one begins to crawl or walk in earnest, your entire house will become her playpen. You’ll need to babyproof your home to ensure she avoids trouble. Below, we’ll provide an easy-to-implement action plan for babyproofing your home, room by room.

Using Gates To Protect Your Baby

They’re economical and one of the best investments you can make when childproofing your house. Safety gates are strong enough to prevent your little one from accessing areas from which she is forbidden (at least, until you can accompany her). They can keep her out of your kitchen, bathrooms, and hallway so you can make sure she remains safe when your attention is diverted elsewhere.

Plan to spend approximately $40 for a high-quality safety gate. You can purchase them for less, but a lower price will typically be attached to a less sturdy gate. Invest a few extra dollars to buy durability.

Babyproofing Your Kitchen

Your kitchen is full of chemicals and objects that can cause harm to your baby. Because you work around them so often, there’s a good chance you don’t recognize the danger. From sharp eating utensils and cleaning products to drawers full of plastic bags, there’s a lot to keep out of reach from your little one.

If you intend to let your baby roam your kitchen, remove all cleaning supplies from easy-to-reach storage spaces (e.g. underneath your sink). If you must store such items near the floor, put them in a cupboard or drawer, and place a lock on it. You can also buy baby-proof latches to install on all of your drawers. They’ll prevent your infant from exploring areas that pose a danger to her. Lastly, don’t forget to secure the ends of place mats and tablecloths she may be tempted to pull.

Babyproofing Your Bedrooms

In your bedrooms, make sure electrical outlets have been covered. Babies have a tendency to pick at them – or worse, stick objects into them – when they are left unattended. This can cause an electric shock.

Also, look around your bedrooms for small items lying close to the floor that can be harmful to your baby. Such items include socks, ties, belts, and even shoes since the shoelaces can become wrapped around your little one’s neck. Remove these items from her reach.

If your baby is under twelve months, make sure she is unable to reach pillows from the edges of beds and couches. Left alone with them, she might suffocate. Lastly, if you have older kids in your home, remove their toys from the floor.

Babyproofing Your Bathrooms

The bathrooms in your house are nearly as dangerous to your baby as your kitchen. There are likely cleaning supplies, hair products, and dangling cords from hair dryers and other tools. You’ll need to store them out of her reach. You’ll also need to keep your little one away from the tub and toilet since she can drown in only a few inches of water. As a general rule, keep your baby out of your bathrooms unless you’re with her (a safety gate comes in handy).

Babies develop at their own pace. But once they’re on their feet (or knees), they can cover long distances more quickly than you might imagine. If you’re not paying attention, even for a moment, your little may find herself in danger. Before your baby becomes mobile, get down on your hands and knees and observe your home from her perspective. You’ll find there are hidden dangers that may have otherwise escaped your notice.

Author Bio: Find quality Maternity Clothes and Maternity Dresses from AppleSeedBoutique.com by Elizabeth Perkins

Category: Parenting
Keywords: safety for baby, home safety, making a home safe for baby, baby-proofing your home