Baby On The Way? Baby-Proof Your Home

Do you have a baby on the way? If the answer is ‘yes’, then you may be feeling anxious and overwhelmed over how to properly baby proof your home.  Let us be the first to tell you to trust your baby. What do we mean by that? Babies, toddlers, and children of all ages are really great teachers. And, most responsible, well-meaning adults are highly teachable. See where are we going with this? Don’t freak out. First of all, it’s going to be several months before your baby is even mobile. Do the obvious things like locking lower cabinets, adding cushion to sharp edges, etc. But keep in mind, few things develop overnight. As long as you are a reasonably responsible parent, you’re going to figure out pretty quickly what does and does not need to be baby proofed, because your baby will teach you as you go. If you just want a good starting place to prepare yourself, then take a look at the following tips.

Start With The Baby's Bedroom

For starters, make sure you have a current, quality crib. Have a hand-me-down? Make sure it’s no more than 5 years old. Yep! That’s how quickly safety standards change.  The first few months, your baby will be spending a lot of time either sleeping or resting in their crib. You'll want to keep the crib away from any cords, blinds, drapes or other items the baby might get their hands on. Avoid a crowded sleeping environment. Avoid pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals. Nice warm jammies and/or a “sleep sack” are a great way to keep your baby warm without the use of a traditional blanket.

Baby-Proofing The Halls And Stairs

Next, it's time to take a quick sweep through your halls and stairways. Once your baby starts crawling, they're at risk for falls and other issues. Go through your hallways and look for any items that the child might pull over. For example, if you have hall tables with plants or pictures on them, are there any fabric items which the baby might be able to reach? Baby-proof any outlets along the wall, and install sturdy baby gates at stairs to prevent falls. 

Keeping The Kitchen Safe

There are all sorts of dangerous items in the average kitchen, from heavy appliances with loose cords to tablecloths that can lead to utensils on the floor. In short, everything should be kept in drawers and out of a child's reach. Cupboards should be secured so that a baby can't open them. Install a lock on your oven door, and stove knob covers to prevent your child from accidentally turning on a burner once they are old enough to stand.

It's almost impossible to fully baby-proof a home, but the above checklist is a good start. For more great information here’s a good article from Parents®: Babyproofing your Home from Top to Bottom

If you have a baby on the way and are looking for a larger, safer home, give us a call today. Our friendly real estate professionals are happy to share some family homes in the Northwest Missouri area.