Posts Tagged ‘Proofing’

Baby Proofing for Toddlers

As soon as baby takes his first steps, the world suddenly seems a whole lot more accessible to him. Those interesting drapes, those colorful books on the shelf, and grandma’s glass knick knacks on the coffee table are now within his reach. Raising a toddler is much different from raising a baby. Here are ten quick ideas to make a toddler’s environment a safe place for him to learn and explore.

1. Hide all Cords

Exposed electrical cords and pull-strings for blinds are very tempting for toddlers. However, they put them at risk for electrocution or strangulation. Hide electrical cords and use a cord-shortener for your blinds.

2. Remove the Trash Can

Trash bins are treasure troves for small children and often contain items that could harm them. Keep your trash bin in a locked cabinet or in the garage.

3. Cover Electrical Sockets

Electrical socket covers are a necessity with small children. Kids really do stick small objects into sockets and may get shocked.

4. Lock up Medications and Cleaners

Never leave medications, cleaners, bath oils, nail polish remover, or beauty supplies on the counter. They may be poisonous when ingested. Keep these items in a high, locked cabinet.

5. Never Leave Coins or Small Objects on the Counter

When cleaning out your pockets of purse, don’t leave coins, buttons, or other small items on the counter. They are choking hazards. One may be surprised how high little arms can reach to grab interesting objects off counters!

6. Bolt Bookcases to the Wall

Tall and heavy furniture should be bolted to the wall. Book cases and dressers are especially dangerous because children may climb them and they can tip. To prevent accidents, screw heavy furniture to the wall or purchase specifically designed straps to secure them.

7. Keep Knives, Glass, and Appliances up High

Sharp objects, glass, and small appliances should be stored in high, locked cabinets. Be especially wary of the contents of lower cabinets, even if they are latched. Your child may outsmart the latch. Never store cleaning chemicals in a floor-level cupboard.

8. Cushion Sharp Furniture Edges

While your toddler is first learning to walk, it may be wise to cushion sharp furniture edges. Corner guards and soft bumpers protect toddlers from hurting themselves on the pointed edges of low tables.

9. Use Gates and Doorknob Covers

If there are areas of the house that are not thoroughly childproofed, secure the doorway with a baby gate. Door knob covers are excellent ways to keep children out of rooms as well. It is advisable to put doorknob covers on any door leading outside so that little explorers cannot leave without supervision.

10. Install Baby Gates at the Top and Bottom of Stairs

Stairs are extremely dangerous for young toddlers, so install baby gates at the top and bottom. The type that screws into the wall is preferable, because pressure gates may be pushed over. Also, use railing guards if your balusters are more than 3 inches apart.

Child proofing Stairs

When a baby begins to move around and crawl you need to be prepared to make your home child safe. Anything that can be grabbed, pulled down or fell down like staircase to has to be made safe. Remember babies learn new skills fast so better to prepare sooner rather than later.Begin child proofing our home by taking a walk through your house and try to find anything that may look like a hazard. Be aware of open gates or doors that should be guarded, stairways, any heavy objects that can be reached and pulled down on top of the baby, sharp edges of furniture and cabinets that contain hazardous chemicals.

Also be aware of any wires or curtain ropes and cords that are hanging low enough for a baby to reach, chocking by blind cords and wires is a huge cause of infant fatalities.

Baby gates are an essential part of Child proofing any home, keeping a baby contained in a safe room with no hazards while the mother cooks dinner for instance is a must. There are many Hazardous areas around the home that the baby must not be allowed to wonder into unattended like the kitchen while someone is cooking so a child proof gate must be added to most areas in the home. The most obvious choice is the stairs, all stairways in the home must be guarded top and bottom as this is the most dangerous area for a baby to wonder. Rooms in the house where there are unguarded electrical items or where you know are unsafe for the baby to be unattended must be guarded with a baby gate. Any garden with a pond or a pool must have a baby gate affixed to the door way and kept closed at all times, under no circumstance should an infant be let alone near any water of any kind. Baby gates are available in traditional styles as well as in many modern styles to fit in almost any space. You can even find gate segments that can be linked together to secure open floor-plan homes or to create a safe space for baby to play in the middle of any room. Another point of concern is the bars or rails on stairways either outside the home leading to a waterway or just on the stairway inside of your home must be child proofed with flexi glass so that the baby cannot fit his/her head through the bars and get caught or worse fall through the bars.

Baby Proofing Your Home

When it is time for you to alter your home into a baby zone, all you need to do is take a wide, long look at your house from a baby’s point of view by being literally down on the floor. You need to search for corners that require cover for their sharpness, cabinets which seem tempting enough to open, and the hanging cords that appear alluring. Making the house childproof is to ascertain that the child is not harmed while staying there. Childproofing also entails restriction of children from reaching an unsafe area. So, its time for pads, child-proof locks, covers and gates!

A childproofing study guide helps to understand procedures of childproofing. Steps to baby proofing your home involves looking out for –

· Small things: remember anything small will go into the mouth. So anything smaller than one and a half inches round like coins, dust balls and paper clips need to be removed.

· Sharp things: remove broken glasses and knives, scissors and razor blades even from the waste baskets.

· Electrical things: unused electrical outlets must be covered with plastic plugs. Lamp cords must be tucked behind the furniture.

· Poisonous elements: dangerous chemicals should be packed in cup-boards with child-proof locks. Poisonous indoor plants should be kept away. Medicine cabinets should have child-proof locks.

· Plastic bags: keep away plastic bags. A baby can put his/her face inside the bag and suffocate. Balloons too should be kept away.

· Unsafe stairs: Take care of your stairs. Safety gates at the top and bottom of open staircases should be installed and always kept fastened.

· Uncared for valuables: Keep and store away valuables on a higher shelf out of his/her reach.

Baby proofing is protecting your little bundle of joy from every sort of injury. For baby proofing your home, you could refer to a baby proofing checklist to provide her a safe passage through every nook and corner of your home. Get aware of child proof furniture. Child proof furniture does not have sharp edges and the corners are rounded. For baby proofing your home, get jokes child proof drawers attached to the cupboards and chests. A baby proofing checklist identifies potential hot-spots:

Bathroom

Install toilet lid locks and baby proofing glass shower door. Turn down the water temperature of your water heater at less than 110 degrees. Install child proofing base board heaters so that you can ensure the baby’s safety in the bath tub, and avoid burning problem too. Set up child proof locks on the toilet doors; kids tend to be fascinated by water.

Doors

Invest in baby proofing door handles and place door knob covers for doors that you don’t wish your baby to open. Place decals on sliding-glass doors.

Windows

Mount up window guards in such a way that they do not open more than six inches. Fasten the cords to the blinds. Install safety glass in low windows and French doors so that even if the baby falls into them they won’t shatter. Nothing that could be climbed upon should be placed near the window.

Fireplace

How to baby proof a fire place hearth – get a fire-place hearth cover before the baby learns to crawl. Place cushiony devises called baby barriers around the hearth to keep her away.

Just get some intelligent safety gates and you can make sure that the angel doesn’t tumble over.