Childproofing Your HomeOnce your baby is six months old, it is a good idea to get your home ready for safe exploring. What this entails, is “childproofing” every space, and removing items that may be harmful to your baby. One strategy to help you assess the environment is to view it from your baby’s perspective. Get down on all fours and crawl from room to room. You’ll discover many hazards, such as uncovered wall outlets, sharp corners, electrical cords, and unsecured furniture.
The following checklists will help you prepare your home and prevent injuries.
General Safety Checklist:
- Check the floors often for small objects that a baby could choke on, such as food remnants, elastics, earrings, and coins.
- Cover unused electrical outlets with safety plugs or covers.
- Never leave extension cords plugged in where your baby can chew on them.
- Keep telephones on a high shelf and ensure cords are out of reach.
- Fireplaces, space heaters, and radiators should be well ventilated and covered with a safety guard.
- Make sure safety gates are properly installed across stairs.
- Remove dangling cords from window blinds.
- Keep baby away from open windows.
- Make sure there are working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home.
The Baby’s Room Checklist:
- Never put the crib or other nursery furniture by a window.
- Hang mobiles out of baby’s reach and remove once your baby can sit up.
- Make sure diaper pails have a secure lid that locks in place.
- Keep any plants well out of baby’s reach.
- Keep baby toiletries (ointments, nail clippers, and shampoo) locked up.
- Remove any toys with buttons, ribbons, eyes, or beads that can be pulled off and swallowed.
The Kitchen Checklist:
- When cooking, turn handles of pots and pans to the back of the stove and out of reach.
- Remove any small fridge magnets that could pose a choking hazard.
- Avoid using tablecloths that can be pulled down.
- Keep all appliances and cords away from the edges of counters and tabletops. All cords should be coiled up and tied.
- Put safety latches on kitchen cupboards. Place safe items that your baby can play with on the bottom shelves.
- Cleaning products and toxic substances should be stored in a high cupboard with lock or safety latch.
- Keep cutlery and knives in a drawer out of reach with a safety latch.
- Vacuum broken glass and go over area again with wet paper towel to pick up slivers.
- Clean spills immediately.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
- Post emergency phone numbers near the phone.
The Living Room Checklist:
- Put away all breakable knick-knacks.
- Anchor bookcases and televisions to the wall.
- Fireplaces, space heaters, and radiators should be well ventilated and covered with a safety guard.
- Place rubber guards on sharp edges and corners of furniture.
- Secure tall, free standing lamps behind a piece of furniture.
The Bathroom Checklist:
- Remove glass and ceramic accessories from the bathroom.
- Keep all medicines and drugs out of reach, and in a locked cabinet.
- Keep shampoo and soap on a high shelf, out of reach.
- Hairdryers should always be kept unplugged when not in use.
- Install a toilet seat lock to prevent drowning.
- Keep the bathroom door closed to keep baby out. For added safety, use a plastic door-knob cover.
-- Sarah Simpson
sarah@babyontheway.ca | 
