Room by Room Home Safety
It's hard to remember that ''everything ''is new to a baby. And new means fascinating. Ordinary objects like the remote control, the legs of a chair, a stairwellthey'll all demand exploration, and unfortunately, you won't always be there to make sure baby discovers new things safely. That's not to mention some things you probably never want your child to discover, like the cleaning products under the sink, the top shelf of a book case, or your brand new iPod speakers. The good news is, everyone with kids has been here before; ask friends what precautions they've taken or even your own parents what they did (since obviously you survived childhood), and read the rest of this guide for some clever products that can keep your child (and your electronics) safe and sound.
The Initial Assessment
Take a look around your house, room by room. What are the major danger areas?
* '''Check for sharp edges''' on tables and shelves, like on coffee and end tables and counters.
* '''Scout out and count electrical outlets''', and note areas where there are a lot of cordselectrical ones hanging from blinds and drapes.
* '''Tally up high surfaces''' kids can climb to, or structures that could tip over, like shelves or bookcases.
* '''Write down everything you've found''' and how much of it (i.e. number of outlets, full measure of table edges). That way you'll know exactly what to get when you get to the storeand only have to make one trip.
Even if you're not sure what your problem areas are, here are a few safe bet products to stock up on in the meantime:
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Drawer Locks and Cabinet guards will keep your kids away from cleaning supplies and sharp items, like scissors.
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Window guards prevent falls from your home or flat.
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Outlet covers make unused outlets safe by preventing electric shocks.
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Cord covers ensure your kids won't get tangled in cords, and bonus: you won't trip over them any more.
The Living Room
'''Other tips and products:'''
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Carpet adhesive will make walking (which is difficult enough already) a little easier for your wobbly toddler.
* Get gates to block off dangerous areas like staircases, fireplaces, or even just to keep your pet away from your baby.
* Skip the glass coffee table.
* Double check your hard safety work with this
tip site.
The Bathroom
'''Other tips and products:'''
* Keep your prescriptions in
childproof bottles to keep kids from ingesting them.
* Put down
Step stools help kids safely reach the sink or tub without having to scale the toilet or cabinets.
* Keep the bathroom door closed when not in use. A hookeye latch can keep the loo out of bounds.
Nursery
'''Other tips and products:'''
* When you've graduated your child from a crib to a
bed rails to protect against middle of the night falls out of bed.
* Strap baby onto the
Kitchen
