So you have finally achieved your dream home. It’s the right balance between form and function and the style reflects who you really are. Then a baby comes along and suddenly your home is full of 101 ways your baby could get hurt.
Before you ditch your entire furniture collection and replace it with round decor without sharp edges, here are some unobtrusive ways to keep your home safe for your baby so you can maintain a sense of space while creating a safe environment for your little one.
Any proper baby protection process consists of two main stages: identifying various household hazards and then eliminating them. These two stages of baby-proofing are closely related and the success of all baby protection efforts only depends on the success of each of the two safeguards. In other words, you cannot eliminate a potential hazard in your home without first identifying it.
Why should you protect your home for babies?
Protecting your baby is all about ensuring maximum safety for your baby from potential household hazards that may arise in a familiar yet unfamiliar environment, such as a home. By baby-proofing your home, you allow your baby a safe place to play, learn and grow without the risk of accidental injury.
Babies aged 1-4 years are especially vulnerable to injury from accidents due to fire (burns), water (drowning), hazardous substances (choking, poisoning) or falls. In some cases, this can lead to the death of the baby.
It is right before the baby starts crawling and exploring, that you will need to start doing a checklist and shopping for baby-proofing products.
While you should start ensuring safety measures are in place before your baby starts crawling, it is better to consider getting ahead before they are born. While the rise of e-commerce and online shopping makes life more convenient, please do ensure that the baby crib meets government safety standards and that other online purchases for baby furniture, clothing and items are safe, non-hazardous and suitable for the use of a newborn.
Baby-proofing your home may seem tedious, but it doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Identifying key areas and solving problems creatively can preserve the interior of your home without compromising or completely changing the aesthetics of your interior.
Here are basic tips to baby-proof your home:
1. Declutter and minimalise
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Make sure that your baby is in a secure playpen whenever it’s playtime. And also to not make toys or trinkets strewn across the floor and that they are a non-choking hazard.
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Secure large furniture and furniture that easily tip over is firmly against your walls. This includes bookshelves, televisions, picture frames and mirrors. For shelves, store heavier items at the bottom to avoid the risk of furniture falling.
2. Safeguard the curiosity
Here is a list of things to keep out of the grasp of little hands:
- Outlet – Use an outlet cover
- Medicines and cosmetics or small colourful items – Keep them away from the reach of the baby (ie. store jewellery in jewellery boxes that can shut)
- Stove Knobs – Use stove knob covers
- Toxic substances such as cleaning products, toiletries, or paint left over from your renovation – Store them away in a locked closet
- Potentially toxic ornamental plants – Place them on higher grounds
- Kitchen cabinets – Get baby safety locks
- Hanging items such as cables for electrical appliances, cables for curtains, lamp tassels, fashion accessories, or tablecloths – Purchase outlet boxes for appliance cords
- Sharp objects such as kitchen utensils – Can easily obtain no-drill baby safety drawers/cabinet locks
- Kitchen Appliances – Turn pot and pan handles inward toward the wall, away from the edges as far as possible
- Doors – While locked doors can do the job of preventing them from entering a room that they aren’t supposed to be in, there may be a chance for them getting their tiny fingers injured, thus look into getting a finger pinch guard
- Main door – Install a deadbolt which is high enough that the baby can’t reach
3. Create a Bump-Free Environment
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Don’t want your baby to potentially get a bad bruise or cut?
Marble floors are absolutely beautiful, we know that. But they can be slippery. Place a rug or rugs that can withstand the fall, but use a non-slip pad underneath. Bath mats and non-slip mats are also a good idea, as bathroom floors become slippery when wet.
On sharp edges, such as corners of desks, workbenches and cabinet doors, install corner supports. Use a door mount or holder to protect your little finger.
Cover the faucet with a rubber guard to prevent your baby from accidentally bumping into it and secure your faucet with an anti-scald device to reduce the risk of heat.
Allow them a safe space to explore
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Sometimes the best way to keep your baby safe is to keep them away from dangerous areas of the house, including the kitchen and bathroom. Baby gates are also a good investment while still providing a safe space for the baby to roam around and explore.
Keep your baby away from windows. Protective window grilles, mostly made of aluminium or steel, can distract from this beautiful rural scene, but they can also protect your baby.
DISCLAIMER: This article was prepared or submitted by a content contributor. The opinions expressed in this article are based on the author’s view. They do not directly reflect the views of theAsianparent and its affiliates.
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