Babyproofing Your Home

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As a first-time mommy, I know how scary it can be bringing a delicate baby into your home. The last thing you want to have to worry about when you bring your new arrival home is safety. If you follow these straightforward steps, you’ll know that your baby is safe to roam around. Make sure you make all the changes you need before your child starts to crawl!

Tidy Away Small Items

If you have any small decorative items around the home, at a height that a crawling baby can access them, move them! Kids are naturally curious and may try to eat small objects. Your child could easily choke. Be careful about leaving toys unattended in your baby's nursery too. I like to make sure anything that’s small and not fixed down is high up and out of reach.

Get To Know Your Neighbours

Getting to know your neighbours doesn’t sound like a step for childproofing your home I know! But trust me, as your children grow and want to play outside, it’s nice to know people are looking out for them. If you know your neighbours, you’ll feel safer about letting them play out. I’d love to live in a close community like Ultris at The Madison. Meeting your neighbours is also a good way to meet any other young families in the area.

Secure The Kitchen

When babies begin to crawl, they start to explore. The kitchen is full of many dangerous for small children, so it’s best to keep them out. If your child is in the kitchen, make sure they don’t have access to anything sharp or harmful to them like alcohol.

In the kitchen, you also need to make sure your fixtures and fittings are safe. Make sure anything loose is fitted securely so your little one can’t pull it out. You also want to be careful that when you’re cooking, they can’t climb near hot pans or stoves. It all sounds scary but if you keep an eye out you can keep your baby safe.

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Watch Your Doors

Adventurous babies will crawl in and out of rooms and climb into any open cupboards. If you’re allowing your child to get used to their surroundings, I’d always advise you supervise. But, just in case, make sure you lock your doors and shut cupboards. If your child finds something, that sparks their interest it could end up in their stomach!

Get Safety Gates

Safety gates are great for keep your kids from going upstairs or into any areas that aren’t safe. It’s a good idea to get these installed as early on as possible, so you don’t have to think about it when they start to crawl! Make sure the gate you choose can be open only by yourself (and other adults) and is not easy for a child to open.

Secure Your Blinds And Curtains

So many parents don’t think about making sure your blinds and curtains are safe. Babies will pull them and they will play with any loose dangling cords, you can guarantee it! I recommend choosing blinds that comply with health and safety regulations. Special blinds can are available that are built to make sure children can’t get tangled in them. If your kids like to play near windows, always make sure you’re watching!

Do you have any other advice for keeping young children safe? Let me know, I’d love to hear.