Our favorite tips to babyproof your house
Congratulations on your new arrival! Having a baby in the house is filled with joy, emotions, laughter, and plenty of adventures. The first weeks and months of a baby’s life are a period of development, and as they grow and learn, their sense of curiosity will only continue to increase. While it can be an incredible experience to see them discover the world around them, it can also bring some safety concerns, especially when they start crawling around.
With babies and toddlers in the house, acknowledging that everyday items can become dangerous is crucial. You may not have thought twice about a wooden cabinet, set of stairs, or glass coffee table. But when you experience how rambunctious, adventurous, and mischievous kids can be, you must take precautions and make your home safer.
While safety-proofing the whole house seems daunting, your Doona family is here to help you turn your home into a safe haven with our ultimate checklist!
When to start babyproofing your house
Baby proofing takes time, so ideally, get started at least three months before your due date. When you first bring an infant home, they may not be able to cause much trouble yet, so you have some time to prepare. However, as you hold, care for, and walk your new bundle of joy around, it's key to keep your home free from loose wires and slippery debris. Keep your living space as tidy as possible (don’t worry, it will get messy in no time).
Once you notice your child’s first signs of crawling, rolling around, and independent movement, it's time to take action. As soon as they can move around freely, you will want to protect them from everything around them.
Your baby proofing checklist: room by room
Kitchen & Pantry
While a kitchen is an inviting place to gather as a family, it can include dangers from sharp objects, cleaning supplies, and high heat from the oven and stove. Start by eliminating all access to dangerous knives and edges in the kitchen. All blades should go towards the back of the counter or behind baby-locked cabinets. You want to do the same with cleaning supplies because they can be full of chemicals that harm your child. There are usually other seemingly safe utensils, such as meat tenderizers or rolling pins, which can soon turn into unsafe hammers in the hands of a toddler, so be sure to hide those away, too. Plastic bags can present a choking hazard, so make sure those are also in a hard-to-reach place.
Bathroom
The medicine cabinet is a treasure trove of terror for any new parent. Check that all prescription and over-the-counter drugs are in a safe, tucked-away place where kids cannot reach. It’s not enough that you put a baby-safe lock on the cabinet. Be sure there is no possible chance of a child grabbing any of it. Put baby-safe electrical covers on all outlets, especially those in the bathroom, where post-bath babies tend to crawl, soaking wet and curious!
Garage
We frequently consider ways to make the interior of our homes safe for children, but the garage is just as crucial. The garage is often where we store the most hazardous items, so extra precautions must be taken when it comes to keeping children safe. Ensure that your garage door opens and closes smoothly and that the switch is positioned high enough to prevent activation. Store toxic and flammable items, such as rat poison and paint in secure cabinets. Additionally, keep nails, screws, nuts, bolts, and electrical tools in a secure location.
The interior of your home
If your home has stairs, install a baby gate at the top to keep your child from getting too close. This is also helpful for single-story homes, as you can create a designated safe area for your child to play. Remove any looped cords from your window blinds, as they can pose a choking hazard, and use soft padding or furniture bump guards to protect sharp corners. Remove tablecloths from your tables to prevent your child from pulling them down and potentially causing harm.
The backyard
While outdoor play is important for children, they should never be left unsupervised, especially at a young age. Many plants are inedible, and some can even be toxic or deadly. To keep your child safe, be sure they don't put any wild plants in their mouth. If you suspect your child has ingested something harmful, contact your local poison control center or 911 immediately.
We hope our baby proofing checklist gives you all the tips to create a safe and comfortable environment for your children, especially through their rambunctious toddler years! At Doona, we created our company to help moms and dads everywhere by making parenting simple, with a collection of smart, stylish and functional baby products, including our innovative and fully convertible Doona Car Seat & Stroller, as well as our 5-in-1, ultra compact Liki Trike. Now have fun, play hard, and stay safe!
