Nothing can quite compare to the joy that comes with bringing a newborn home. Such marks a beginning of a season, a milestone, a memory. However, in almost every heart of a parent, there resides a tinge of anxiety. Questions of readiness and responsibility arise.
Fear not, dear mom and dad! Many have triumphed in the past. Equip yourself with knowledge so that when the day finally arrives, you will be ready with items like highchairs or a baby swing. Here are five ways to baby-proof your home:
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Keep hazards out of reach
Before anything else, you must first survey your home. Search for possible hazards and fix them. From toxic materials in the bathroom to stray wires, it is essential to examine each nook and cranny to protect your child. Your curious baby might try to grab and chew everything within reach!
While keeping these hazardous items, it is also necessary to store them properly to avoid the accumulation of dust or germs, which may have adverse effects on your baby. Fortunately, there are many tips online that cover everything from sterilizing tools to toy storage ideas.
Other hazards that you might want to take note of are heavy and breakable items, electrical appliances, and small objects that might cause choking if swallowed. Use your high shelves and secure storage spaces to keep your child safe!
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Soften those edges
As unsuspecting as those tabletops and polished walls may seem, they pose a possible danger to your wandering child. Fortunately, there are stylish ways to childproof your corners.
In the past, people have used everything from tape to old tennis balls to pool noodles. While sports equipment or aquatic toys may not go with the aesthetics of your home, do not worry! You do not have to pick safety over style because you can now have both.
Whether you shop online or in the hardware store closest to you, there are various affordable corner guard options. The best part is that many of these are transparent. So you don’t have to worry about ruining your color scheme.
These corner guards are also very easy to work with. As most of them are stick-on, installing them will be a sweat-free process. If you haven’t already, soften those edges!
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Fence before a fall
With little to no balance, your child may have trouble navigating through the different areas of your home. High areas like staircases are a danger to your child and must be fenced. You might also have an excess of furniture in other places, and this may lead to tripping if it is also not fenced off.
When you are busy, it might be helpful to put your baby in a contained area. A baby gate will do the job! Some recommend putting one at the top of the stairs and another at the bottom. Such prevents any unsupervised crawling.
Though it may seem daunting to install a baby gate or fence, it is not as difficult as you might think. Some parents like to use zip ties instead of drilling them in place. With this, you do not have to worry about holes on your floors nor your lack of carpentry skills.
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Secure your furniture
According to a survey by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 20,500 injuries were caused by furniture tip-overs in 2019. In children’s furniture tip-overs, those younger than six years old were the leading age group.
Anchoring your shelves, televisions, and dressers prevents these dangerous tip-overs. Whether caused by an earthquake or simply the constant tugging of your child, these incidents can be avoided. Securing your furniture will only take a couple of minutes, but its benefits will last a lifetime.
Choosing the method and material is based on the type of furniture you are anchoring, and the wall that you will anchor it upon. Thus, it is necessary to do your research before you take the tools out.
From cables to bolts, the possibilities are endless. Whichever option you choose, remember that anchoring your furniture is a worthy investment. Indeed, nothing matters more than the safety of your baby.
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Supervision
No hardware or device will truly ensure the safety of your child. Though there may be things that can help prevent accidents, supervision is still an essential part of building a safe home.
These tips are just tools. Simply relying on them is not an option. Hands-on involvement in the wellbeing of your child is a vital aspect of responsible parenting.
More than any of your purchases is your ability to parent. So dear reader, take responsibility wholeheartedly because there is no turning back now.
Takeaway
Start this new chapter of your lives right by being ready for it. Through these simple steps, you too could create a safe and joyous place for the newest member of the family. Remember, a safe home is a happy home!
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