Waiting for the arrival of a baby is an exciting time in your home, but it’s one that is filled with lots of projects, too. Getting the nursery ready with everything from our baby care shop, preparing all those adorable clothes, and making sure mom and dad-to-be are getting plenty of rest are all high on the list. Another thing you’ll want to make sure is high on your to-do list is ensuring your home is a safe place for junior.
Getting Ready for Baby
At-home accidents are one of the primary reasons for trips to the emergency room with little ones. While any reasonable parent knows that every child is going to experience some accidents and bumps and bruises along the way, your goal in baby-proofing your home is to ensure you have prevented anything that could cause serious harm to your little one, including burns, drowning, ingestion of foreign substances or taking a fall. What you childproof and to what extent are up to you; some parents may choose to pad their coffee tables while others are okay with a few bumps along the way. Whatever your comfort level, there are a few things you won’t want to avoid.
The Must-Do’s of Childproofing
- Remove any cords on blinds near where baby sleeps or plays. If you don’t want to replace your blinds entirely, look for safety gear that prevents the cords from getting tangled around baby.
- Cover outlets. You won’t have to worry about this with a newborn, but the day will arrive sooner than you think. Make sure your unused outlets are covered to prevent curious toddlers from sticking anything inside.
- Protect your pool. If you have a pool, pond, or other open water in your yard, make sure it has a locked gate or an alarm that goes off if something falls inside.
- Lock up cleaning supplies and medication. Curious babies might think a bottle of cleaner or medication looks like a tasty treat. Put cabinet locks where you store these items to prevent curious hands from exploring.
- Safety gate your stairs. It might seem like a massive inconvenience for the adults in the family, but baby gates are essential for two important reasons. First, they keep baby in one room or area; second, they prevent baby from taking a tumble down the stairs.
If you don’t have all of this done before baby arrives, don’t panic. Most babies don’t start to crawl until around the age of six months, so you’ll have a few months to ensure your home is ready. Don’t wait too long, though; some babies are early crawlers! Take on one task a month or get it all done at once; just don’t neglect doing it. You’ll thank yourself once you see how curious (and fast!) babies can be.
Want to find other items that can help babyproof your home? Visit our online store for all the equipment that you’ll need. We offer a full selection of baby items include safety products, formula, skin care, and more. Be sure to check out our free shipping offer and place an order for all your baby needs with us today.
