If you think having a baby is hard work, then just wait until you bring your new bundle of joy home and it comes time to babyproof your home against any dangers, both real and imagined. I was more than a bit nervous after bringing home my newborn and I spent many a day and night fretting over everything and if I had done enough.
For those new mothers out there that have not done it before, I have some sound advice that I can impart since I have been through it. I’ll let you know what worked for me and what might not work and then what really isn’t worth your time at all. It’s a process, obviously, but it is one that must be done. You have to go room by room and make amendments and adjustments, but after it’s done, it’s done and your stress levels will subside significantly.
Making your house baby proof means placing measures in each room that will stop your baby from pulling, pushing, opening, or closing things that might harm them. You should set aside a couple of days on the weekend to go through each room individually to ensure they are safe. You will have to go through this process a few times until your child reaches a certain age. Of course, you shouldn’t just take my word for it as there are loads of sites that can give you insight into the entire process. Try here and be sure to narrow down your needs with what is possible. The views here are my own, but I have several years of experience on this…and counting.
The Big Picture
In general, you should already know how safe your house is on a scale from 1 to 10. For example, your water heater should not be above 120 degrees, so as not to burn your baby during a bath. A fire extinguisher should always be located in the kitchen, with smoke detectors functional and placed in each room. All electrical outlets should have plastic caps placed over them. You also should check the basement and make sure it is free of any objects or substances that can cause harm to your child.
Kitchen
Since this is one of the busier rooms in the house – and you will be sufficiently distracted while in it – it is advised to have this room as organized as possible.
If there are cleaning supplies in the lower cabinets, then they should be relocated to top shelves. The bottom shelves can then be stocked with plastic containers, pot, pans, and paper products instead. Drawers should also place sharp objects up top, with plastic and paper bags placed on the bottom.
Living Room
I know that when there are kids around, accidents happen, and that means things fall from time to time. This is why the guards you invest in corner guards with cushions attached to place anywhere with sharp corners. The television should always be attached to an entertainment center so that it doesn’t fall off.