More Tips to Baby Proof Your Home

Following on from my article about baby-proofing your kitchen and sitting room; here are some more ideas to do the same in your baby's bedroom or nursery plus the bathroom and some information and preventative measures regarding other hazards around the house.

Baby's Bedroom or Nursery

• Never use teddies, other cuddly toys or pillows in cots as they are a suffocation hazard
• Any small toys that are a choking hazard should be removed from the cot
• Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep
• The cot slats should be at least 6cm apart so that your baby's head does not become trapped
• Once a baby can push up on her hands and knees (at about five months usually) then mobiles should be removed from the cot
• Do not place the cot near a window and be sure that there are no hanging cords in reach of your baby. You can also use window treatments that have break away cords to eradicate strangulation hazards
• Changing tables can be purchased with guardrails and a safety strap. Never leave your infant alone on the changing table, not even for a second, so keep all the supplies you need to change her with close at hand and within reach

The Bathroom

• Never leave your infant alone in the bath tub or bath seat, it only takes a couple of inches of water and a couple of minutes for an infant to drown
• Your hot water should be set to no higher than 49 degrees Celsius to avoid scalding
• Keep the toilet lid closed when not in use and install lid locks
• Unplug and store all electrical appliances out of reach when not in use
• All medications should have child-proof lids and be kept out of reach in cupboards that are high up and ideally locked

Windows

• For windows that are high up, for there are many childproof locks on the market that are both affordable and easy to install
• You can also purchase glass safety film which prevents window panes from shattering
• Keep furniture that can be climbed on, away from window sills

Doors

• You can use doorstops to wedge doors open and this is the most affordable option in trying to prevent little fingers being caught in hinges or being slammed upon
• Hinge-cavity finger protector strips can be fitted to each door
• Door guards which are cushion-like can be clipped around the door edge and above the handle

Fires and Electrical Heaters

• Constant supervision of your children is required when you have an open fire going in the house
• Fireguards are required and should be fixed to the wall or floor so they cannot be dislodged by infants
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the house
• Fit smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the house
• Test the alarms on a regular basis. If you were to have an accidental fire in your home, your family are twice as likely to survive if you have working smoke alarms fitted

By Eirian Hallinan

Eirian Hallinan, a mom, wife and well accomplished writer whom has authored numerous articles for outstanding online sites like BabyCareJournals.com. Through her life experiences and studies, she has attained a solid knowledge in using all natural remedies to treat infant reflux and infant gas.