Whether this is your first time welcoming a newborn or you’ve done this a couple of times, you’ve surely scoured the internet for babyproofing tips and watched thousands of Youtube videos on how to do this and that.
Babyproofing the entire house is a complicated task. Everything in your house can be a potential danger to your kids. We’ll help you get thorough with your babyproofing this time. Here are some babyproofing tips parents often overlook.
Hot Water
Burn accidents are not limited to boiling water on the stove or accidentally tipping over hot food containers. You also need to consider burns from tap water. Tap water burns often happen in bathrooms and are the leading cause of children’s burn injuries.
These burns are often more severe because they can cover a large portion of your kid’s body when exposed. Never fill the tub with your kids in it. Fill it out first and test it before you let them climb in.
For safety, have a bath thermometer with you. The perfect bath temperature for kids is around 37 to 38 degrees Celsius (around 99.5 ° F). Since newborns have thinner skins, keep the water temperature at 36 degrees (96.8 ° F).
You can also utilize anti-scald faucets to prevent burn accidents during bathtime. You can have these installed by plumbers; they can control the water temperature and automatically turn off before it gets too hot.
Entertaining Visitors
Many parents will probably overlook this because it is not a typical babyproofing tip. But it may come in handy when the situation arises. If you’re used to having visitors come over often, don’t stop now that you have a baby! Instead, be more careful to keep your children safe.
When entertaining visitors, your baby’s safety is your priority; don’t assume that your guests can do it for you. There are many things you can do to keep your kids safe when guests are around.
- Dedicate a section for coats and purses where curious kids can’t reach them.
- If you need to leave the house, hire someone or ask your relatives to look after your kids. It’s safer not to bring them.
- After the party, clean up the messes immediately. Guests may leave dangerous substances, like cigarette butts and unfinished alcohol that your kids may pick up and swallow.
- Allow extra time for sweeping and clearing your floor. You can never expect what your kids pick up on the floor and on the couch, which can be choking hazards.
House Plants
Who would think you need protection for your kids against house plants? According to poison control, accidental ingestion of household plants is the leading cause of child-related injuries under five years old.
You don’t need to remove your house plant completely. You just need to be smart about how you place them in your house. As much as possible, keep them out of reach. Also, be careful of poisonous plants. Poinsettias, oleanders, philodendrons, and castor beans are just a few examples of hazardous plants that you might not even be aware of.
Do detailed research before bringing a plant inside the house. It is also an excellent practice to teach your kids not to put everything they pick up in their mouths.
Pet Supplies
Having a pet that grows up with your kids has many benefits. Taking care of a pet gives your kids a sense of responsibility, increases their self-esteem, and decreases their risk of developing allergies. However, a pet and child together in a home requires extra care.
No matter how gentle your pets may be, never leave your kids with them. Your kids may be overly playful, and some pets can only tolerate so much before they bite back. It is also not advisable to let your pets sleep beside your kids.
Another thing to look out for is your pet’s food and water bowls. When your kids see their pets eat, they might want to try their kibble or even drink from their bowls. When feeding your pets, always be on guard. Don’t let your kids near them. Animals tend to be possessive over their food, and they might see your kids as a threat when they come near.
Finally, when your pets are done eating, ensure their food bowls are empty so your kids will not ingest anything they shouldn’t.
Secondhand Items
Secondhand items are good bargains, especially when you’re on a budget. However, some parents are easily swayed by the low prices without inspecting the quality of the product. If you’re buying everyday-use items like baby cribs or high chairs, your top priority should be integrity.
Check if all the parts are intact and complete. For wooden products, check for sharp edges, which can cause splintering. For car seats, check the product’s expiration dates. Manufacturers provide them with their products to inform users if they are still safe. Even if the item is still intact, don’t buy it once it is past its expiration date.
Fireplaces
Childproofing the fireplace is often overlooked because not all homes have one. To prevent accidents, the safest way is not to use it when you have kids. But if it is necessary, there are safety precautions you can take.
Safety gates are not only for doors. Protect your kids from getting near the fireplace by installing appropriate gates or covers. When in use, never leave your kids unattended. Similarly, clear the surrounding area of any flammable materials. Kids have the tendency to throw things they see into the fire, turning them into hazards.
Finally, after using the fireplace, secure it. Make sure to cool it down before you allow your little kids to roam around its surrounding area.
Trashcans
How could a trashcan be dangerous for your kids? It is stated over and over that kids are naturally curious, and even trashcans will seem interesting to them. Little kids are very observant of your movements. If they see you putting things in the trashcan repeatedly, they’ll check it out for themselves.
Sanitation isn’t the only concern about trashcans. You could’ve thrown something toxic in there that your kids may pick up. To prevent this, get tall trash bins that kids can’t reach. It’s also best to have them covered, and if you can lock them, the more secure they will be.
Must-Have Babyproofing Accessories
If you have infants, you still have time to babyproof before they start crawling and moving around the house. To start your babyproofing, you need to have these babyproofing must-haves. Make sure to add these accessories to your checklist.
- Corner Guards: When kids run around, they are bound to bump into the sharp edges of your furniture. Corner guards can cover these sharp edges so they won’t injure your kids.
- Cabinet Locks: If it’s something that opens, chances are your kids will open it. Cabinet locks ensure that your kids can’t open drawers that may contain sharp objects, toxic products, and other hazards.
- Outlet Covers: Electrical outlets pose a threat to your kids. They can poke their toys or even their hands in out of curiosity. Make sure to get different sizes of outlet covers to seal all electrical outlets and prevent electrocution accidents.
- Sliding Door Locks: The outdoors is enticing to a toddler. You’ll be shocked to see them running straight outside. Use door locks to keep them from going to restricted areas such as the garage, laundry room, kitchen, and outdoors.
- Anti-Tip Straps: Kids tend to hold on to furniture for support when they start standing up. Anti-tip straps prevent heavy furniture from falling over your kids when they accidentally pull them down.
Final Thoughts
You’ll have a long checklist of things to do when you babyproof your home. It’s understandable that you might miss some of them, so we hope these tips help you create a safe environment for your kids.
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