Welcoming a new bundle of joy into your home is an exciting and transformative experience. As parents, your top priority is ensuring your baby's safety and well-being.
One of the crucial steps in achieving this is baby-proofing your home.
From curious fingers to wobbly first steps, babies can be quite adventurous. We never want to hinder this magical curiosity. It’s wonderful to see their amazement at the simplest things in life; a stick, a leaf, hearing a bird tweeting. However, this sense of adventure and curiosity makes it essential to create a secure environment especially as they get on the move!
Working in A & E for the last 23 years, I know the accidents we see time and time again even from newborns. Burns and scalds from hot drinks and baby’s rolling off change mats, sofas and beds are some of the most common injuries we see right from the first week of life. Yes even when you think they can’t roll!
In this comprehensive guide, l will explore with you the various areas of your home that require attention and share practical tips for baby-proofing to promote a safe and nurturing space for your little one.
As a Mum of two myself, I can say that while safe proofing can’t prevent accidents they massively help reduce the big risks and also your stress levels. You can’t be watching them all the time!
Try to be one step ahead. Pre-empting their next stage of development. The level of safety gradually gets higher as they move from rolling, sitting, crawling, cruising, walking and climbing!
Evaluate Your Home's Potential Hazards
The first step in baby-proofing is to conduct a thorough evaluation of your home, identifying potential hazards that may pose risks to your baby. Every home is different. See which of these will be applicable for you.
Remember, every child is different. We did safe proofing for our daughter but then our son came along and we had to up our game as he was into all sorts!
Take a walk through each room, paying close attention to:
Electrical outlets: firstly one you don’t need to worry about! Plug socket covers are so safe (UK plugs) that you don’t need these and actually if put in upside down they cause risk.
Sharp corners: Cover sharp corners of furniture with corner guards to cushion any accidental bumps. These are amazing, especially on coffee table corners. My own daughter had a horrible injury to her cheek when we were away and these weren’t in place, like at home where the impact of the fall would have been minimised by the corner cushion. You can also get protective strips to go on prominent edges such as the hearth of a fireplace which you think may cause injury.
Cords and blinds: Tie up or secure cords out of reach to avoid strangulation hazards. Consider cordless blinds for added safety.
Stairs: Install safety gates at the top and bottom of staircases to prevent falls. The recommended ones are those that are drilled into the wall (yes sorry!). They are much safer as the ones which just resist against the wall get loose over time and I have seen terrible accidents with these. Also, they have a stupid step on the bottom which is hazardous stepping over when carrying a little one. They are actually better for the wall too.
Small objects: Keep small items like coins, buttons, and toys with small parts out of reach to prevent choking hazards.
Fireplaces: If you have a working fireplace you need a guard fixed to the wall. It’s not worth the risk
Secure Furniture and Appliances
Babies are known for their ability to pull themselves up on furniture as they learn to stand. To prevent accidents, anchor heavy furniture and appliances to the wall. Use furniture straps or brackets to secure dressers, bookshelves, and other tall items. This precaution will not only protect your baby but also ensure the stability of your furniture.
Baby-Proofing the Kitchen
The kitchen is a hub of activity, making it crucial to implement safety measures in this space:
Cabinet locks: Install cabinet locks on lower cabinets to keep potentially harmful substances. However, I would move all cleaning products and sharp utensils, out of reach to a higher cupboard rather than relying on a lock. You may have to open for a few seconds when loading the dishwasher or washing machine and little hands will love the colourful squidgy capsules which are very hazardous.
Stove guards: Consider stove guards to prevent little hands from reaching hot pots and pans. Always use the back rings and turn pot handles inward when cooking.
Childproof latches: Secure the refrigerator and oven with childproof latches to prevent your baby from accessing these potentially dangerous appliances.
Remove small magnets: Small magnets can be a choking hazard, so ensure that any magnetic items are out of reach.
Bathroom Safety
The bathroom poses unique challenges, and baby-proofing this space is crucial for your little one's safety:
Lock medicine cabinets: Ensure that all medications, vitamins, and other potentially harmful substances are stored in locked cabinets.
Non-slip mats: Place non-slip mats in the bathtub to prevent slips and falls during bath time.
Put out of reach: Medications, electrical hairdryers, hair straighteners, and razors
Bath water: Use your elbow to check your baby’s lukewarm bath water and don’t rely on a bath thermometer.
Bedroom Considerations
Your baby's bedroom should be a serene and safe haven.
Here are some tips for baby-proofing this space:
Crib safety: Ensure that the crib meets safety standards, with slats close enough to prevent the baby's head from getting stuck. Remove soft bedding, pillows, and toys from the crib to reduce the risk of suffocation.
Window cord safety: Tie up or secure window cords to prevent strangulation hazards.
Anchor furniture: Anchor dressers, bookshelves, and other furniture to the wall to prevent tipping.
Use baby monitors: Invest in a reliable baby monitor to keep a close eye on your little one, especially during nap time and overnight.
Living Room Safety
The living room is a central gathering place, and baby-proofing this area is essential:
Coffee table safety: Opt for a soft-edged coffee table or use corner guards to minimise injury risks.
Secure heavy furniture: Anchor bookshelves, entertainment centers, and TVs to prevent tipping.
Eliminate small objects: Regularly scan the area for small items that could pose choking hazards and keep them out of reach.
Check toys: Regularly check battery covers are screwed tight. Silver lithium batteries are very attractive to children and from about 10 months they will have the pincer grip to be able to pick them up - and of course straight in the mouth. They are highly corrosive.
General Tips for Baby-Proofing Success
Stay vigilant: As your baby grows and becomes more mobile, continuously reassess your home for potential hazards.
Educate grandparents or anyone looking after your baby: Ensure that anyone caring for your baby is aware of the baby-proofing measures in place and knows how to use safety devices.
Be flexible: Babies develop at different rates, so be prepared to adjust your baby-proofing strategies based on your little one's unique needs and milestones and personalities like my Isabella and William!
Creating a safe environment for your baby involves thorough planning and proactive measures. By identifying potential hazards, securing furniture and appliances, and implementing room-specific safety measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents in your home.
Keep in mind that baby-proofing is an ongoing process, so stay vigilant, adapt to your baby's developmental milestones, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is a secure haven for your little one to explore and thrive.
I cover all these safe proofing tips in my Baby & Child First Aid courses, you can access these...
