Babyproofing your house

Welcoming a newborn into your home is a time of immense joy and adjustment. Ensuring the safety of your little one becomes a top priority. Baby proofing your home involves not just the tangible measures but also a heightened awareness to make every corner, nook, and cranny secure for the newest member of your family.

1. Furniture Safety Measures

Ensuring your furniture is secure is a fundamental step in baby proofing your home. Heavy furniture, like bookshelves, wardrobes, and cabinets, should be anchored to the walls to prevent tipping. Infants often try to pull themselves up on furniture, making it crucial to secure these items.

Wall anchoring kits or brackets can be used to secure furniture, reducing the risk of accidents or injuries caused by tipping furniture. Always double-check the furniture in all rooms of your home to secure anything that could pose a risk to your baby. This safety measure significantly minimizes the chance of tipping incidents and keeps your baby safe.

2. Electrical Safety

Appliances and their cords should be out of a child's reach, as well as secure and away from counters or tabletops to avoid spills and burns. Items such as stoves, toasters, and coffee makers should be safeguarded and kept unplugged when not in use. It's wise to install safety latches or locks on drawers and cabinets, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms, to keep hazardous objects like sharp knives, cleaning supplies, and medications away from children.

Electrical outlets should be covered with safety plugs or outlet covers, which prevent children from poking objects or fingers into the sockets

3. Crib and Sleep Safety

Start by choosing a crib that meets current safety standards, with bars that are appropriately spaced to prevent your baby from getting stuck. Avoid using cribs with drop-down sides, as they pose a risk of trapping the baby.

Position your baby on their back to sleep, adhering to the recommended "Back to Sleep" practice to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Remove soft bedding, pillows, or stuffed animals from the crib to prevent suffocation or strangulation hazards. A firm mattress covered by a fitted sheet is all that's needed in the crib during the initial months.

Place the crib away from windows, curtains, or blinds to avoid potential risks of entanglement or strangulation.

4. Installing Baby Gates

Gates serve as barriers to prevent access to certain areas in your home that might pose risks to your little one.

Begin by assessing areas that should be off-limits for the child, such as staircases, kitchens, or rooms containing potential dangers like cleaning products or fragile items. The gates should be secure and of appropriate height, generally at least 22 inches tall.

There are various types of gates available – pressure-mounted gates are ideal for areas like doorways between rooms while hardware-mounted gates, screwed into the wall, are best for the top of stairs. Ensure the gates are properly installed and inspected for stability, without any gaps that could entangle the baby.

It’s also essential to select gates that are easy for adults to operate but are too complicated for a baby to figure out, thereby maintaining the effectiveness of the barrier. Lastly, periodically check and maintain these gates to ensure they're in good condition, considering the safety of your child

5. Kitchen Precautions

1. Cabinets and Drawers: Install safety latches or locks on cabinets and drawers that contain sharp or hazardous items. Securely fastened latches prevent your child from accessing harmful objects, such as knives, cleaning products, or heavy pots and pans.

2. Appliances: Use stove knob covers to prevent your child from accidentally turning on the stove. Also, install safety gates to block the entry to the kitchen, preventing access to cooking areas and hot appliances.

3. Electrical Outlets and Cords: Cover electrical outlets using safety plugs or outlet covers. Keep appliance cords out of reach to prevent your child from pulling them down or coming into contact with electrical hazards.

4. Table and Countertop Corners: Cover sharp corners of tables, countertops, and islands with soft corner guards or edge protectors to reduce the risk of injury if your child falls against them

8. Bathroom Safety Measures

1. Locks and Latches: Install locks on cabinets containing medicines, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. Store these items out of reach or in locked cabinets to prevent accidental ingestion or exposure.

2. Toilet Safety: Consider using a toilet lock to prevent a curious child from opening the lid and risking drowning or exposure to unhygienic water.

3. Water Temperature: Regulate the water temperature on your water heater to prevent scalds or burns. Aim for a maximum water temperature of 120°F (48.9°C).

4. Slip-Proofing: Use rubber mats in the bathtub to prevent slipping. Consider installing grab bars to aid in your child's balance and for you during bathing times.

5. Toys and Accessories: Store bath toys and accessories out of reach when not in use to avoid potential hazards or choking incidents

9. Handling Toxic Substances

1. Storage and Organization: Keep all toxic substances, including cleaning supplies, detergents, pesticides, and other chemicals, out of the reach of children. Store them in high, locked cabinets or containers.

2. Childproofing Cabinets: Install safety locks on cabinets containing toxic substances. Ensure that these are secured to prevent any accidental access by curious little hands.

3. Safe Alternatives: Consider opting for natural or child-safe cleaning products that are free from harmful chemicals. This minimizes the risks associated with toxic exposure.

4. Labels and Warnings: Always keep toxic substances in their original containers and ensure they are correctly labeled with clear warnings. Follow the usage instructions strictly.

5. Education and Awareness: Educate family members, caregivers, and even visitors about the importance of keeping toxic substances away from children and how to handle them safely.

10. Monitoring Appliance Safety

1. Secure Cords and Plugs: Ensure electrical cords and wires from appliances are tucked away or secured to prevent tripping or pulling hazards. Install outlet covers or guards to prevent access.

2. Safety Locks on Appliances: Use safety locks on appliances, such as ovens, dishwashers, and laundry machines, to prevent children from opening them and encountering potential risks.

3. Proper Appliance Usage: Use appliances as per the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines. Regular maintenance and safety checks can prevent potential malfunction.

4. Supervision and Childproofing: Always supervise children around appliances, especially when in use. Keep children away from hot surfaces or stove tops and install safety gates or barriers in kitchen and laundry areas.

5. Child Awareness: Educate children about the dangers of appliances and establish clear rules regarding interaction with any household machinery

Reference : Safety At Home: Babyproofing Basics [Internet]. HealthyChildren.org. Itasca (IL): American Academy of Pediatrics; c2022 [cited 2023 Nov 3].