Preparing your home for your new bundle of joy is a time filled with excitement. Decorating the nursery, selecting your stroller and cute new outfits are usually on everyone’s mind, but babyproofing your home should be a priority as well.
Even though you mostly only need to make sure the crib is safe at first as your child will not be mobile for the first 6 to 9 months, we recommend getting it all done before the baby comes to save yourself the hassle of installing baby gates and outlet covers (to name only a few) in a rush when you suddenly realise your child can crawl. Below are just a few items that should be on your babyproofing checklist.
Babyproof the Crib
When you are babyproofing your home, don’t forget the crib! While you may be tempted to fill the crib with soft blankets and a cute little pillow, soft bedding and items like blankets and toys in the crib can lead to SIDS. To avoid SIDS, babies should be laid to sleep on their backs, on a firm mattress. To be on the safe side, keep your baby warm with a sleep nest instead of adding blankets to the crib.
Babyproof Cupboards and Doors
One of the first things you want to make sure you take care of before the arrival of baby is to babyproof all cabinets, cupboards and doors that your baby could have access to once they start to crawl and walk. Many household cupboards contain heavy items that could fall on baby, or harmful items like cleaning supplies and detergents, and must be kept out of reach.
Stair Gates
Placing gates on your stairs is a must. However, make sure that you buy the correct kind for your use. Gates for the top of the stairs must be screwed in, while you can use easy-to-install pressure mounts for the bottom of stairs.
Be Mindful of Choking Hazards
If it fits in a toilet paper roll it could potentially be a choking hazard. Get in the habit of not leaving your purse on the floor as coins, medicine and other items can be dangerous to your baby. Don’t forget that items like balloons, Q-tips, fridge magnets, etc. can also be dangerous for a baby.
Leave a comment