Baby Proofing Products Buying Guide

Babies are naturally curious. Little hands and feet quickly find places they were not meant to explore. Baby proofing your home is essential to keeping your child safe and ensuring that you as new parents are able to maintain your sanity. It's important to evaluate your home for potential hazards before your child is crawling and walking. Many items can be safely moved out of a child's reach. Other items, like electric cords, stairs and kitchen appliances will need to be properly outfitted with safety mechanisms to protect inquisitive tots from injuring themselves. Stay ahead of the game and go through Babynamebox.com's baby safety checklist.

There are two ways to approach baby proofing your home.  You can either secure the children in one area with enclosures and gates or you let your child roam about the house after you've attempted to install all the proper safety gear.  If you decide on the former, chance are you'll need a good crib and a playard when your child is an infant.  The next step to keeping you child out of harm's way will be to research options to keep them confined once they are crawling and walking.  Read on for ideas.  If you want to encourage your child to explore your home environment check out our room by room home safety guide.

Safety Gates and Enclosures
Safety Stair Gates  Safety gates should be installed at the top and bottom of all staircases for maximum safety. Find one with a latch that is simple for you to use, yet difficult for your toddler to figure out.	Safety Door Gates  Put a gate in the doorway to keep your baby safely enclosed in one room. Some models have a "hands-free" feature that allow you to open the gate with a foot plate.	Playpen  These gates can be customized by size to designate a safe place space in your home. Most models are versatile, allowing you to section off a fireplace or grill, for example

Next Steps

Even after you've secured your child to designated play areas, you'll still want to follow up on the baby proofing basics:

• Drawer Locks  can prevent children from shutting their fingers in drawers and also keep children from access sharp and dangerous objects.
• Cabinet guards  will secure poisonous cleaning solvents and small electric items from your child.
• Window guards  are essential to protect your child from falling out of your home or apartment.

The next step is to tackle electrical safety.

• Outlet covers  help children avoid electric shock and should be placed over all unused outlets.
• Cord covers  should be placed over any wires or cords in your home.

Outdoor Safety

Early Childhood has a checklist of  indoor and outdoor safety requirements.  In addition, it's important to monitor certain high incident areas.

• Pools should be outfitted with pool gates  to prevent children from falling in them. Motion detectors can also be useful to alert an adult to a child's presence outdoors.
• Garage doors should be carefully monitored and the controls should remain out of the reach of children.

Related Products

Playards	Car Seats	Cribs	Infant Clothing	Baby Health and Hygiene

External Links

• National Safety Council -- Baby proofing your home.
• Parenthood -- How to baby proof the first 12 months.