If you’re an expectant parent, you’ve most likely read all the baby books under the sun before you little one arrives. You’ve attended the birthing classes and prepared the nursery. However, do you know how to baby proof your home in time for their arrival?
It will be several months before your bundle of joy starts crawling and moving around by themselves. But it’s recommended to start baby proofing your home during pregnancy … as you will be a little preoccupied once bubs arrives. To help take the guess work out of it, we’ve prepared a baby proofing checklist to help you create a safe and secure home for your little one.
Disclosure: This is a partnered post
The Living Room
Whilst your living room may seem harmless, it can potentially pose a number of risks to your baby as well as yourself when you are holding them in your arms. Where applicable, take precautions such as:
- Anchoring your TV to the wall,
- Removing blinds with looped cords, and
- Installing fireplace screens around hearths.
Always hide electrical cords and put safety covers over electrical outlets. Also, be sure to move tall, unsteady lamps behind furniture, and cover sharp furniture edges or corners with the likes of safety padding or bumpers.
The Kitchen
Baby proofing your kitchen is one of the obvious requirements and requires a little foresight and preparation. Safety precautions include:
- Installing stove knob covers,
- Keeping dishware, glasses, knives, cleaners and heavier items out of reach,
- Removing tablecloths and other items that can be pulled down,
- Unplugging small appliances that are not in use, and
- Placing lockable covers on bins and doors.
You may also want to consider installing a water filter in your kitchen to ensure that the water your baby drinks and is bathed in is free of any harmful bacteria. If you are unsure as to which water filter to purchase for your home, this which water filter is best for me help page can be of use.
The Nursery
The nursery is an area where your little one will be spending a lot of unsupervised time. So, you’ll want to make sure that this is an environment that is as hazard free as possible.
Start by ensuring your child’s crib is pulled away from other furniture which could aid them in climbing out. Also keep furniture within the room from far reach of windows. Alternatively, you can install safety guards on windows for additional peace of mind.
Secure heavy dressers and bookshelves to the wall, and place non-skid rug liners underneath rugs to avoid trips and falls. Ensure that your child’s crib is out of hand’s reach from any electrical cords, such as those included with baby monitors. And avoid placing bumpers, comforters, blankets, pillows and toys inside the cot itself.
Your Car
Now that the inside of your home is baby proof, you may also want to start thinking about preparing your car for your child’s arrival. As this will be the first environment that your baby will come into contact with after leaving the hospital, you’ll need to consider these essential safety precautions.
Start by clearing your vehicle of any small choking hazards, then install a rear-facing car seat in the back seat alongside a car seat monitor to alert you if the strap becomes detached. Expert tip – ensure the car seat is installed well before your due date so there is no panicking once you go into labor. If necessary, you may also want to purchase a portable diaper pad and a car blanket to make journeys more comfortable for both your child and yourself.
We hope this baby proofing checklist will help you to easily prepare your home for you new arrival. Organizing your home so that it is baby proof can seem like a daunting task at the outset, but follow these steps and you will be on the way to a safe and secure environment for the newest addition to the family.
