Baby proofing is one of the most important tasks you'll be responsible for in your baby's first year. As your baby starts to get bigger, he will get more and more curious about the world around him. It is critical to ensure that he does not explore areas where he should not have access.
Time Frame
The best time to start baby proofing your home is when your baby is starting to crawl. This allows you to figure out the areas where she'll be able to access and take measures to protect those areas. Don't wait until your baby is proficient at crawling, though, because waiting too long means you might not be able to keep her out of danger.
Basics
When you start baby proofing, the first thing you'll want to do is remove anything that's fragile or valuable from your baby's reach. Ceramic items, glass items, personal mementos or anything you want to protect should be stored safely in a place far away from your baby. You may also want to install gates so that he can't get to staircases, kitchens, pools or other forbidden areas of your home.
Outlets
Baby proofing your outlets is one of the easiest ways to keep your baby from suffering a preventable injury. Outlet covers cover the entire outlet, leaving room for plugs that are being used. Outlet plugs are plastic pieces that go into unused plugs to prevent children from coming into contact with electricity. You can use either, or both, of these methods. In addition, some outlets come equipped with prong holes that slide in and out to enhance child safety.
Cabinets and Drawers
Leaving your cabinets and drawers unprotected means you're at risk of more than having your baby rummage through your things. There's also a chance of him using the drawers as steps as he attempts to climb to the top of a dresser, which can result in serious injury. Plastic cabinet locks go inside cabinets and drawers so that they cannot be opened more than a couple of inches without utilizing an unlocking mechanism. You can also use external locks that wrap around the cabinet's handle and connect with nearby cabinets to keep kids out.
Tables
If your baby is crawling and cruising around your living room, there's a good chance she'll prop herself up on your coffee table. It's wise to baby proof your coffee table, and other nearby tables, so that she does not hurt herself. Put foam or rubber caps on the corners of the table; this will ensure that she'll be protected if she hits her head on one of the corners. You can also put protective pieces on the edges of the table that can protect her teeth—and your furniture—if she bites the table.
Other Items
Think about the layout of your home and pinpoint the areas where your baby might be able to get. Other baby proofing options include putting locks on toilet bowls and ovens, removing or locking wheels on wheeled furniture and restricting the length of the cords for your window drapes and blinds. Use common sense; if you think there's a chance of your baby getting someplace he shouldn't be, baby proof it. Constantly monitor your baby's progress and continue to baby proof your home in response to his development.
