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THE BABYPROOFING CHECKLIST FOR NEW PARENTS
(Family Features) Babyproofing—or identifying potential hazards in your home and taking necessary measures to prevent accidents—is an essential step to help ensure your child's safety and well-being.
Start by getting down on your hands and knees to see the world from a small child’s perspective. Look for sharp corners, small objects that can be swallowed, and other potential hazards. The goal is to create a safe environment for children to explore and learn.
Ensure the safety of your little one with this guide to effectively babyproof some of the most-used rooms in your home.
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR THE NURSERY
The nursery is where your baby will spend a significant amount of time, so ensuring it’s a safe space is crucial. Anchor heavy furniture, such as dressers and bookshelves, to the wall to prevent tipping. Ensure the crib meets current safety standards and keep it free from pillows, blankets and stuffed animals to reduce the risk of suffocation. Use cordless window coverings, ensure electrical outlets are covered with safety plugs and keep cords from baby monitors and other devices out of reach.
SECURING THE KITCHEN AND BATHROOM
The kitchen and bathroom are full of potential hazards for curious babies. In the kitchen, install cabinet locks to keep little hands out of drawers and cabinets that contain dangerous items such as knives, cleaning supplies and medications. Install stove knob covers and keep pot handles turned inward to prevent burns.
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In the bathroom, always keep the toilet lid closed and consider a toilet lock. Never leave your child unattended in the bathtub, install anti-scald devices on faucets, and set your water heater to 120 F or lower to prevent burns.
LIVING ROOM SAFETY MEASURES
Another area where your child will spend a lot of time, the living room often features plenty of small objects that could be choking hazards, such as remote controls, coins and batteries. In addition to keeping small items out of reach, cover corners and sharp edges of furniture and secure TVs and other large electronics to prevent tipping. Cover electrical outlets with safety plugs and use cord shorteners or hide cords behind furniture.
Once you’ve completed your initial babyproofing, regularly reassess your home as your child grows and becomes more mobile. New hazards often arise as kids learn to crawl, walk, and climb.
Find more tips and ideas for creating and maintaining a safe environment for your little one at eLivingtoday.com.