Even before you bring your baby home from the hospital, you need to assess your home for safety. Babies grow quickly from newborns, to active crawlers, to toddlers who reach up to grab at things. While all of this is wonderful development to behold, it's also fraught with potential danger if you're not prepared. The best way to child proof your house is to not only keep a constant eye on your child, but also get on your stomach and look around. You'll be surprised at the innocuous things that can be a hazard.
Get Yourself Ready for Baby
Before your bring your baby home, get your house basically ready. Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; check their batteries and test them to make sure they are in working order. Put together a basic baby first-aid kit, including a bulb syringe to clean his nose if he gets a cold and rectal thermometer for accurate temperature readings. Put child locks on all cabinets and put poisons in a location that is not only locked, but hard to get to, such as a garage cabinet or high shelf. Change the water temperature so that it does not exceed 120 degrees to avoid inadvertently scalding or burning your baby at bath time or when rinsing his hands.
In the nursery, put covers on all unused outlets and make sure the window covering isn't a strangulation hazard by either affixing it to the wall or cutting any dangling strings. Check that the crib slats are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart to avoid strangulation hazards. Make sure the mattress is tightly fitted so your baby doesn't slip down into any crevice.
Install your car seat and have it inspected. Many local fire departments will inspect your car seat if you call for an appointment.
On the Cusp of Movement
Once you suspect your baby is about to start crawling, take child proofing to the next level. Guard the knobs on the front of the stove and begin using the back burners to prevent inadvertent hot spills. Consider changing your baby on the floor rather than a raised diaper station to avoid falls. If you prefer to use a raised diaper station, make sure the pad includes a safety strap to secure your baby. Install doorstops to prevent the baby's fingers from getting squashed. Install gates at the top and bottom of stairs and in the doorway of rooms that you don't want your baby to travel into. Assess your knick knacks and pictures--move them to higher shelves so that your baby doesn't pull the picture onto himself. Cover any sharp edges on furniture with bumpers or pads. If you have a pool, make sure you have a child fence or cover to prevent accidental drowning.
Before Your Child Walks
When you see that your baby is starting to pull himself up, add another layer of child proofing. Secure anything that might topple, such as bookshelves or lamps, by either strapping them to the wall or putting them low to the ground. Secure windows with a rail guard or latch to prevent your baby falling out the window or wandering outside unsupervised.
