One of the biggest concerns you will have as a homeowner and new parent is childproofing your home. Each year, more than four million children are injured in the home. Parents can prevent many common serious childhood injuries by knowing where the dangers are and how to protect children from them.
Here are some tips to help make your home safe for your newborn.
1. Take the guesswork out of bath time
You may like to take a hot shower, but a baby doesn't. Turn down the water heater so the temperature doesn't go above 110.
2. Install a toilet lock
Babies are fascinated by water. Watching them playing in bathwater is one thing; hearing them splashing in toilet water is another.
3. Glass doors
Put decals on your glass doors so they are clearly visible and that no one will run into them.
4. Door knob covers
To prevent children from going into rooms they shouldn't, you should install door-knob covers so your little one can't open them.
5. Windows
Install window guards so that windows can't open more than six inches
6. Near the Window
Don't place cribs, playpens, high chairs or climbable furniture anywhere near the windows.
7. Cords
Tie up the cords to blinds so that a child doesn't get tangled up in them.
8. Shatter proof
Install safety glass in low windows and French doors so they won't shatter if a child falls into them.
9. Eliminate shock
Be sure to fill any unused outlets with safety plugs, including outlets behind and beneath furniture that may be overlooked.
10. Set the fireplace off-limits
Be sure to surround your hearth with some kind of cushiony barrier — think couch cushions, pillows or even a store-bought barricade.
11. Baby gates
As soon as babies start crawling, the stairways in your home become an accident waiting to happen. Install a baby gate at the bottom of the stairs to prevent them from heading up, as opposed to placing it at the top, because eventually they will climb up a gate, meaning they would from an even greater height.
12. Clear stairways
Keep the stairs clear of toys and other objects that you might trip over while carrying the baby.
13. Secure furniture
Eliminate any unstable furniture that your baby can pull over. Fasten bookcases to the wall so they can't be pulled down when they start to climb.
14. Drawers
Keeping drawers shut is important for two reasons. They offer an easy thing to climb and they can be shut on fingers.
15. Poisons
The culprits here are medications and cleaning products. Use childproof locks for your low cabinets, like underneath the sink. Move medications to the highest shelves.
16. Kitchen safety
The kitchen presents the most danger to a toddler. It is imperative that you don't let your baby play at your feet while you are cooking, but they may still wander in when you are busy. Here are some kitchen safety tips.
- Turn the handles of pots and pans toward the back of the stove or counter.
- Use the back burners for cooking whenever possible.
- Never leave a boiling pot or sizzling skillet unattended on the stove.
- Teach your child that the oven is "hot" and not to touch it.
- Keep plug-in appliances, such as toasters and can openers, put away where your child can't reach them.
17. Cover your pool
If you have a pool or a hot tub, invest in a good, sturdy cover.
Remember that baby-proofing changes as your child develops new capabilities and curiosities. Get down at your baby's level and check things out at their eye level.
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