There is nothing in this world more exciting than becoming a parent for the first time. Absolutely everything about your life will change, which can be daunting, but it is also an incredible feeling. One of the most important steps that you need to take before your bundle of joy arrives is baby-proofing the house. This post will tell you all you need to know.
What is Baby-Proofing?
Essentially, baby-proofing is the process of making your home a safe environment for a baby and toddler. A typical house can be incredibly dangerous for an infant or young child, so you need to go through each room and make sure that potential dangers and hazards are addressed.
When Should You Start?
You do not want to feel rushed when it comes to baby-proofing, so it is never too early to begin. Many people find that it is a good idea to baby-proof before the baby even arrives, as things can get chaotic once they arrive! Experts state that you should typically start when your baby starts to roll over – this means that they will be crawling around soon! This is usually between the ages of 4 and 6 months.
Tips for Baby-Proofing
Break it Down Into Rooms: It can feel overwhelming when you have to make both big and small changes to all areas of the home. This is why it is a good idea to break it down into rooms – this will make it easier to manage and help you identify the big and small hazards in each room.
Secure Furniture: Furniture takes up a lot of space in the home, but it can become hazardous once the baby starts to crawl and even more so as they develop into toddlers. This is why you need to secure your furniture down so that it will stay in place. This could include having fitted wardrobes in the bedroom – this will also help maximise floor space.
Cover Electrical Outlets: Electrical outlets are all over the home and often in a position close to the ground, making them one of the biggest hazards for a crawling baby. Make sure that all outlets are covered to prevent them from hurting themselves.
Install Childproof Locks: If you have any cabinets or drawers that an infant or toddler can reach, you need to install childproof locks. This is particularly important if this is where you keep hazardous items, such as cleaning products.
Use Corner Guards: Sharp edges are also a major hazard, so you should use corner guards on tables, cabinets, furniture, and anything else that your baby/toddler could bump into.
Baby-proofing is an essential step that every new parent must go through to create a safe environment at home. Hopefully, the advice in this post will help you with this process.