Decorating a nursery is fun, but a baby’s safety should be the primary concern. Checking a nursery checklist can help ensure that sharp corners are covered or fenced off, dangling window cords are adjusted out of reach and tippy furniture is anchored to the wall.
Baby proofing is an ongoing process as babies grow and explore their surroundings. Here are some tips for new parents:
Keep the Temperature in Check
As your baby develops and starts crawling, they will quickly start to explore the environment. They will look at all the furniture, cabinets, and other spaces to see what they can get into. Unfortunately, their curiosity can lead to serious injuries such as pulling down chairs, climbing the stairs, or grabbing items off shelves and tables.
The key to preventing accidents is keeping your child’s environment as safe as possible. It is essential to run a baby proofing sweep of your home on a regular basis, and reassess it as they grow. For example, choking is a serious risk for babies, and you should regularly inspect toys for loose parts. You should also remove items from tables and shelves that are too high for your child to reach, and use safety covers on outlets.
You should also take the time to make basic repairs to your home before baby comes, such as fixing smoke detectors, adjusting your water heater to prevent scalding, and placing a child-proof lock on the refrigerator. You should also keep first aid kits stocked with bandages, ointment, and infant CPR supplies. In addition, be sure to keep flammable items such as candles and fireplaces away from curtains or bedding, and unplug appliances when not in use. You should also take the time to wrap or hide all cords for draperies and mini-blinds, so that your child cannot strangle himself, and place baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs.
In addition, you should consider installing a thermostat cover to help keep the temperature in your house at a comfortable level for babies. A consistent temperature helps promote good sleep, which is essential for healthy development.
Cover All Outlets
During their early years, babies are curious about everything that’s around them. Unfortunately, curious babies can be easily injured by common household objects that they stumble upon or reach for. For that reason, parents need to babyproof their entire home and nursery before their child becomes mobile.
Some of the most dangerous items that new parents forget to babyproof include dangling window treatments, electrical cords and other toys, which can be pulled by toddlers down onto their crib or bassinet, where they can become entangled or strangled. It’s also important to remember that babies and toddlers can climb up furniture, including dressers and bookshelves, increasing the risk of injury if they tip over.
To help prevent this from happening, ensure that your furniture is securely fastened to the wall with braces or anchors and install tamper-resistant outlet covers. Keep all electrical cords and appliances out of sight and tucked away in drawers or cabinets, and get rid of standing floor lamps, which can fall over on an adventurous toddler.
Keeping all chemicals, cleaning products and medications out of sight and reach is another smart step. Young children can be tempted to reach into bottles with bright colors or citrus scents, which may contain chemicals that could cause serious harm. You should also add cabinet locks to any cabinets that contain dangerous items and make sure to cover sharp corners on tables, entertainment centers and coffee tables.
To help with the babyproofing process, many experts recommend taking it room by room to avoid becoming overwhelmed. The most important rooms to focus on are the nursery, bedroom, living room and kitchen, where your baby will spend the majority of their time.
Get Rid of Standing Floor Lamps
Once your baby starts crawling, it will be important to keep them away from any standing floor lamps, as they can fall over and cause injuries. You should also remove any cords or dangling objects that your baby could reach, as they can strangle themselves. Instead, install hanging light fixtures that can be secured to the wall or placed behind other furniture so your child cannot reach them. You can also click here to find ways to make cleaning fun for your children.
Cleaning products, medicines, and disinfectants can be toxic to babies, so keeping these stored safely away will help prevent accidents. Also, be sure to hang a thermometer in the bathroom and keep bath water at a safe temperature. It is a good idea to monitor your baby closely during bath time and never leave them unattended, as they can drown in just a few inches of water.
Young children can bump into sharp corners of tables and counters, causing injuries. Use corner covers and guards to protect them from this danger. Long cords from window blinds and curtains are a strangulation hazard for infants, so be sure to use cord shorteners or tie them up high out of their reach.
Be sure to put a child safety lock on any cabinets that contain cleaning supplies and other hazardous items, as well as installing drawer and cabinet latches. Also, be sure to get rid of any stairway gates or other items that may have been used with older kids and can be removed or climbed over by a curious toddler. Finally, inspect the entire home for any objects that could be swallowed by a baby, such as coins, marbles, paper clips, thumb tacks, and pieces of big kid toys.
Install Finger-Pinch Guards for Hinges
It’s a good idea to use door finger-pinch guards, which can help prevent pinched or trapped fingers from slamming doors. These handy products rest between your door and its hinge and sit on both sides, preventing the door from closing suddenly when an enthusiastic child presses on it. They’re easy to install and can be purchased online.
If your nursery has a window that opens out to a second floor or above, it’s a good idea to install a safety screen. These screens keep out flying debris and prevent children from climbing up and falling down, which could result in serious injuries.
Another functional update that can make the nursery safe is installing a baby gate at the top and bottom of stairs to keep the baby from wandering into dangerous areas. It’s also a good idea to put locks on cabinets and drawers that contain cleaning products, medicine or other items that may be poisonous to young children. It’s also a good idea for parents to clear cosmetics and shampoos off sink and tub ledges, cover radiators and heating vents, and replace houseplants with non-toxic varieties. Also, it’s a good idea to keep a first aid kit stocked with bandages, antibiotic ointment and alcoholic wipes.
Be sure to install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, following the installation instructions for each. Also, be sure to change the batteries on a regular basis. And if you have decorative rugs, it’s a good idea to secure them to the ground so they don’t fall on or injure an infant. And if you’re using a toy chest with a lid, consider replacing it with one that doesn’t have a lid because heavy lids can fall and trap the baby.
Install a Baby Gate
Becoming a new parent is an amazing experience, from watching your baby take their first breath to hearing them laugh for the first time. But it’s also a big responsibility. Keeping your little one out of harm’s way is essential, and there are several things you can do to help protect them.
Start by doing a sweep of your home, looking for potential hazards. Babies are naturally curious, and small objects can transform into a choking hazard in the blink of an eye. Keep cleaning supplies and medicines out of sight and reach, and use outlet covers to prevent young fingers from sticking into sockets. Keep cords out of their reach from windows and blinds, and make sure all dangling toys are secure. And never leave your child alone on a bed, couch or changing table; they can roll or fall off.
Finally, place safety gates at the bottom and top of stairs; don’t rely on pressure-mounted ones, as they can give way. For doorways, opt for hardware-mounted gates instead of ones with hinges that could open and close suddenly on your child.
Install a baseboard adapter to enable your gate to mount over the bottom of your baseboards. Then, line your stationary wall mount up with the mark you made earlier, and screw in the mounts or hinges. Some gates may come fully assembled, but if yours isn’t, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The body of the gate will then slide down into the mounted wall mounts or hinges. Be sure to recheck that the gate is securely fastened and stable, so your toddler can’t just pull it over or knock it down.