You’ll be amazed at how easy it can be for a child to be a troublemaker. From outlets to kitchen cabinets This article will show you how to make sure that the rooms you use for babyproofing are safe for your home so that they’re safe for toddlers and babies.
When I bought my first apartment in the spring of this calendar year the idea of having children was a possibility for me and my husband but it was not yet being a reality. After nearly 10 months of delay in moving (thanks COVID-19) and remodeling, we’ll move into our new house just a few weeks after the arrival of our baby. The bright side of an extremely stressful year is that we’ve been in a position to design our home with safety for our baby as the top priority. Every time we make a renovation we’re thinking about how secure our home can be for a child who is curious and then a child who will surely attempt to get to every cupboard and closet.
To make the most suitable babyproofing choices for my expanding family, I turned to the experts of the field of home design and safety to help me plan my ideas. I collaborated with a designer at Modsy an online interior design firm which helped me plan my open floorplan dining room and living room. I also spoke with the staff from Poison Control to learn about the top dangers to health and safety that are found in homes. With the experts, I spoke to each space in my home (some that I will never be able to use–a laundry room is an ideal space for an NYC apartment owner!) to ensure that the furniture I purchase won’t be damaged in the first few minutes from spit-up or be too sharp for a novice walker. All my cleaning tools are in the right cabinet with locks that are child-proof, as well as the smoke detectors actually, are in place, since I completed the complete renovation.
If you’re not starting from scratch It’s easy to take a few hours to examine your personal area and ensure that each area is free of risks that might be discovered when your child begins to crawl, walk, or perhaps even climb.
Take on your Big Things First
This is the perfect time to replace the broken window, repair the leaky hot-water heater (it should be kept at a temperature of less than 120 ° F to prevent a scorching hot bath for your baby) Also, check the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. If your home was constructed in the year 1978 or earlier, you need to determine if you have lead paint on your window frames, the interior of your windowsills and in other areas Kelly Johnson-Arbor, M.D., medical toxicologist and co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center.
“In an older house chips or peeling paint can be the possibility of exposure to lead particularly for children or toddlers that are crawling across or touching the surface,” says Dr. Johnson-Arbor. “Never try to complete your own repair or renovation of surfaces that contain lead; employ a contractor who is lead-safe (the EPA website is a good source to help you with the subject).”
It is also advisable to look over the furniture you have in your home to determine which pieces should be hung on the wall to stop them from tipping. If you’re shopping for new furniture pieces you don’t need to compromise style in order to be safe Alessandra Wood who is vice president of fashion at Modsy However, you should search for pieces that have the anti-tip kits and higher safety standards, and use fewer chemicals during production.
“My mother always told me that you can have nice things with children You just need to educate your children to show respect for their parents,” says Wood. “We believe that children will be violent little creatures but we can teach children to respect the world around us.”
The Kitchen
If your home’s layout is similar to my (or I’m sure any other home you’ve seen in HGTV in recent years) You probably possess an open concept kitchen. Even when you’re in the living room, your baby will be able to find a way to the pantry or cabinets and your standard gate for the door isn’t an alternative.
Don’t be afraid It’s a good option to purchase modern, child-proof cabinet locks. The previous residents of my home utilized latches made of plastic that essentially destroyed the cabinet’s wood doors. It was no surprise that we had to tear out the latches and start fresh. You can avoid this mess by searching at magnetic lock options that can be hung on the interior of cabinets, with the same security features and easy access for adults. Consider also covering the stove knobs to keep your child from turning on the stove when he’s standing.
It is not uncommon to keep cleaning supplies in the kitchen sink However, Dr. Johnson-Arbor recommends finding an alternative location that is higher up and away from reach. “This is especially important during the COVID-19 outbreak since a lot of people keep cleaning products in their reach and we could use cleaning products that were not commonly used previously,” she says. “Some cleaning products come with vibrant labels that could appeal to toddlers; disinfecting products could have citrus scents or similar scents Young children might not realize that products that smell great can be dangerous. Make sure that these containers are away from children, and in a location that they are not able to reach via moving or climbing.”
She also advises parents not to move cleaning supplies to other containers that aren’t labeled correctly regardless of whether it appears tidier or saves space. “This could be extremely risky because children, as well as other family members, might not know what’s inside this container.”
To protect your family and look nice, Wood suggests avoiding a glass top table because they are less sturdy than wooden or metal tables and also avoid decorating the space with a rug underneath the table you usually dine at. “In the early stages of life it is not advisable to have carpeting under your dining room table for fear of spills or spills,” she says. “That rug is likely to require lots of maintenance and cleaning. If you have hardwood floors, expose them until you’ve got your children able to eat.”
Kitchen Babyproofing Checklist:
- Childproof drawer and cabinet locks to protect against hazardous substances (once your baby is able to climb, he’ll be able to grasp any object)
- Stove knob covers, to stop babies from turning on the burners
- Nonskid pads for rug
Living Room
The greatest danger in this room is collisions and falls with furniture with sharp edges. If you have sharp corners to contend with Add some corner cards. It is also possible to look at various trendy furniture options available for sale, like round coffee tables, or soft ottomans that could be used as tables, particularly with storage options as well, says Wood.
If you are dealing with fabric for chairs or couches be sure to check the cleaning requirements and choose furniture that is high-performance designed for daily wear and tears and is cleaned well. “Other alternatives are slipcovers,” Wood says. Wood. “There are also ones that can be cleaned and dried on your own equipment or to a dry cleaner and get them back looking brand new.”
For electrical outlets and GFIs in the vicinity Make sure you have childproof curtains and, if you have shades or blinds on your windows, be sure they’re cord-free, as cords have been identified as an entanglement risk.
Living Room Babyproofing Checklist:
- Corner cards that are glued onto furniture that has sharp edges.
- Childproof outlet covers
- Blinds that are cordless (the cords that hang from curtains and blinds are strangling dangers)
The Nursery
In this space, functionality is the main aspect to be aware of Wood. Wood. “Have the right storage for all things within the room if it is your primary room to take charge of your baby,” she suggests. “I am a sucker for dressers that have detachable toppers. It’s safe, it’s designed to be used for this reason. When you aren’t using the table to change your clothes it is time to remove the top layer and you’ll have an adjustable dresser that grows with the changing table.”
In terms of decorating your space, stay clear of hanging anything that is directly above the crib or changing the table that your child can reach and pull. “As many as you desire a gorgeously staged nursery that has a gallery wall in your crib, it’s not the most secure option,” says Wood. “Instead think about creating an accent wall with wallpaper, or the wall decal. These are fantastic because they can’t be moved but offer a stylish aspect.”
Babyproofing Checklist for Nursery Children:
- A large piece of carpet or a rug that cushions the impact of falls
- A safe toy container It is best to use an open bin (boxes with lids that are heavy could be risky for infants)
- Lamps with UL-listed bulbs for night-lights and replacement bulbs
- Finger-pinch-guards for hinges that are installed on doors.
Laundry and Bathroom Room
Because this is the area in which you store your medication and cleaning products It requires particular attention to babyproofing. “Since adults are more mature and larger than children and we aren’t always thinking like children when it comes to the prevention of poisons and childproofing,” says Dr. Johnson-Arbor. Her advice is that everyday household items such as hand sanitizers, laundry pods disinfecting wipes, attractive soaps could be attractive to children, but they can be dangerous when consumed. “Keep all medicines (both prescription and over-the-counter) far out of the reach of children in younger group… Safe packaging for children is beneficial, however, toddlers are smart enough and may be capable of opening child-resistant bottle caps.”
Bathroom Babyproofing Checklist
- Latches to the medicine cabinet
- A toilet lock
- A thermometer that ensures the baby’s bathwater is at a safe temperature
Perform a Final Sweep
We’re all spending more time at home in the midst of the epidemic than ever before. Take this opportunity to think about the little items that you interact with on every day basis and think about their importance to your daily life and the potential safety impact.
Here are a few final ideas:
- Set up gates of safety at the entry or exit of any space that’s not accessible to infants, such as an official living room.
- Check that all of your house plants are safe varieties. Certain plants are highly poisonous.
- Vacuum frequently to eliminate loose paper clips, loose change, or any other small thing that could cause a choke.
- Secure liquor cabinets with locks as alcohol are poisonous for children.
- Cover heating vents and radiators to stop burns.
- Make sure you check your doorstops. Many have cap-like removable parts that can be a danger to choking.
- Be sure to keep toy batteries safe away, as they could discharge acid and cause severe burns.
- Cleanse shampoos and cosmetics from the tub and sink ledges because they can be poisonous and can cause harm.
