8 Things Every Parent Should Know About Childproofing Their Home

If you’re a new parent, you might start seeing things around your home as potential hazards for your baby. You may think you have time till your toddler can grab onto things but don’t count on it. Your baby will start venturing and exploring independently. Therefore, there’s no time like the present to start childproofing your home.

Childproofing your home refers to identifying potential risks in your area and building a safe environment to ensure no harm to your baby. This means taking care of dangers in and outside the house, as well as taking defenses against possible disasters. For example, some properties in Orlando, Florida, have a greater than 26 percent chance of getting affected by floods than others. And so, knowing where possible endangerments may come from can better help you childproof the house for your baby.

You must also remember that even if this is your second or third child, you can never go too easy on safeguarding the place. Every child is different, and it’s possible that your new baby ventures out to an area you hadn’t thought of childproofing.

Here, we list eight things every new and expecting parent must know when childproofing their home.

1. Check if your property is suitable

The first step to childproofing your home is ensuring the property is suitable for creating a safe environment for your children. To do this, you must consider the potential risks associated with the property itself. For instance, if you live in Orlando and your area is prone to flooding, you must take the necessary precautions against its hazards. You can consult your Orlando property managers to help you in this regard, as they can provide valuable insights into the area and offer expertise on flood prevention measures. This way, you can better understand the specific risks your house may face and take proactive steps to mitigate them.

2. Install locks

Locks provide a crucial layer of safety by preventing children from accessing potentially dangerous areas or objects. These can include cabinets or drawers containing cleaning products, chemicals, or sharp utensils and items that can cause serious accidents. Additionally, locks on doors and windows ensure your child doesn’t wander outside unsupervised or open windows wide enough to pose a fall hazard. By installing locks, you can also restrict access to certain rooms primarily designated as safe spaces for children to play in without constant supervision. Using locks allows you to build a secure environment around the house and offer you peace of mind knowing your child is safe from potential dangers.

3. Use socket guards

Electrical sockets and outlets pose a significant risk for children and adults alike. However, since babies don’t know any better and are often curious, they may be inclined to insert objects into these sockets. If, for some reason, you’re unable to stop them on time, it can cause a severe accident and harm to the baby. Therefore, socket guards provide a physical barrier that prevents children from accessing the electrical outlets, reducing the likelihood of accidents, electric shocks, or burns. By covering all accessible outlets with these guards, you create a safe environment where children can play without the risk of getting hurt.

4. Secure rugs and carpets

Children are naturally active and tend to move around a lot, which increases the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Securely anchoring rugs and carpets help prevent accidents and provide a stable surface for children to walk, crawl, or play on. You can better secure these carpets using non-slip pads or double-sided tape to prevent them from shifting or sliding underfoot. Securely fastened rugs and carpets also reduce the risk of furniture or objects tipping over if a child pulls on them for support.

5. Look out for sharp corners and edges

Young children are prone to accidental bumps and falls, and sharp corners or edges on furniture and fixtures can pose a significant risk of injury. And so to mitigate this danger, you must first identify all potential hazards around the house. Next, use corner guards or bumpers to cushion furniture and other objects. These soften injuries and falls when and if they occur and reduce the severity of the impact. For a more secure home environment, you can push items with sharp edges against the wall or away from high-traffic areas. By reducing the likelihood of your baby encountering them, you can better create a safer space for the child.

6. Install stair gates

Staircases are one of the most dangerous areas in homes with babies. Even if you’re always with your child, you can’t risk leaving them alone for a second because they may accidentally tumble down the stairs. But by installing stair gates, you can let them wander off for a while. These act as barriers that block access to stairs, ensuring that young children cannot climb or descend them unsupervised. Stair gates also serve as a boundary, confining young children to safer areas of the home and preventing them from accessing potentially hazardous areas like the kitchen or basement.

7. Consider kitchen safety

The kitchen has several potential hazards, such as hot surfaces, sharp utensils, and harmful substances. Therefore, you must take appropriate measures to ensure kitchen safety is essential for your child’s well-being. For example, installing stove knob shields prevents children from accidentally turning on burners, reducing the risk of burns or fires. Similarly, keeping sharp objects and potentially dangerous appliances out of reach minimizes the chances of injuries. You must also be careful in securing the trash and keeping it away to prevent accidental ingestion of toxic or unsanitary substances.

8. Fix heavy appliances

Heavy appliances, such as televisions, refrigerators, or washing machines, pose a significant risk of tipping over if not properly secured. Since toddlers like to climb up surfaces and explore, they may attempt to pull on these appliances, potentially causing them to topple and resulting in severe injuries. By securely anchoring heavy devices to the wall or using anti-tip straps, you significantly reduce the risk of accidents. These measures provide stability and prevent appliances from being easily tipped or moved by a child’s force.

Conclusion

When it comes to your child’s safety, there is no such thing as too much precaution. As parents and guardians, you are responsible for providing your baby with a safe and secure environment that protects them from potential perils and ensures their well-being. First, take a long and hard look at the living room and open spaces around your house to identify possible hazards. Then use the guide above to mitigate these dangers before the baby comes.