Babyproofing and Childproofing Your Home or Office
Todaysbabies.com highly recommends that you childproof your home and office before baby learns to crawl. This way all safety products are part of the furniture in their eyes,so as not to pick or pull at them.
Babyproofing the living room Den and office
Start off by getting down on your hands and knees and doing a thorough crawl around your home. Anything that you can see, baby can see. Electrical outlets or long cords from blinds are a disaster waiting to happen. If possible put furniture in front of the Electrical outlets, but if exposed use outlet plugs. Use cord wind-up to pull blinds up and out of baby's reach. Another big problem in the office, den or living room are the cords from electronics and televisions. Most of us use a powerstrip and are usually full from all the dvd players and electronic game units, so todaysbabies.com has found a really unique product called the powerstrip safety cover. Covers the entire powerstrip protecting baby from reaching the electrical outlet on the strip. Use furniture safety brackets for tall furniture pieces. Baby will climb and safety brackets will firmly hold the furniture to the wall. Next... you should place a door knob safety cover or leverlok depending on your style of knobs to seize baby from opening the front and back door to strangers or to venture outside. If you have a fireplace and hearth, special attention should be focused on the sharp edges of the hearth and the gas valve. Gas valve covers and hearth pad kits are available to protect baby from bumps and bruises. There are several brands of fireplace gates available.
Kitchen and bath childproofing tips
Mom and baby spend alot of time in the kitchen and when baby starts to walk and potty train they spend alot of time in the bathroom. These are crucial areas to childproof! The kitchen and bath area breed dangers for a child. Start with the cabinets and drawers by installing cabinet/drawr locks. Then install a refridgerator lock and stove lock. Don't forget to use outlet plugs on any exposed electrical outlets in the Kitchen and of course use GFI outlets around water. Use safety brackets for the stove and refrigerator. In the bathroom start with the toilet. You may think it's not enough water in the toilet to hurt anyone but indeed it is. It is quite easy for baby to open the lid and lean over to look see and fall in, but impossible for them to push themselves back out. There are different types of toilet lid locks available but recommend using a one-handed unit as to make it convenient for the rest of the family. Next check the bathtub. We all know how serious a fall can be in the tub. bath tub handles are recommended. The base of the bathtub or shower should have a mold-resistant bath mat or non-slip appliques. Available are non-slip, temperature-sensitive appliques which changes colors when the temp is too hot! Adding a faucet cover to the faucet will protect baby from bumps and bruises in the tub.
Isolating baby to one area or room is highly recommended if possible by using safety gates in doorways and the stairs. Using one-hand operated gates make it more convenient for the rest of the family.
A little advice:
Every child is a unique individual and are extremely creative. Although there is a list of childproofing recommendations above none of these tips and products will protect baby like you can. Unique situations can and will happen in every family so beware if it can happen it willl!
Common Sense:
Please do not leave baby unattended for any reason. If the phone rings scoop up baby and head for the phone or you could let the machine get it. Somebody at the door... and your in the bedroom, do not leave baby on the bed, regardless if baby isn't rolling yet.. Baby will roll for the first time when you least expect it.. Never walk away from baby when on a changing table or elevated off of the floor in any position or seat. All baby seats are recommended to be placed on the floor.
It is recommended that babies sleep on their backs! This is the best way for baby to sleep and could aid in the fight against SIDS. Do not leave loose blankets, stuffed animals and toys in the crib or sleeping area. Movement sensors for cribs are available.
Mother always said water cures everything!
It is best to give baby a bottle before bedtime not at bedtime. Milk can decay baby's teeth during sleep. Give baby a drink of water from a slow flow bottle to help rince the milk down. Doctors will say that water is not necessary for newborns but a little water will not hurt anyone. Formula and milk are thick and can cause alot of phlem. So when baby is sick a sip of water after a meal could make them a little more comfortable if they are congested.
When parents are away from the home and baby is with a sitter it is highly recommended that you supply a "By The Phone List.
By the Phone List should include:
Child’s age and approx weight
Your contact info
A neighbor’s information
Any allergies they may have
Any medication they maybe taking
Hospital you prefer
Your child’s doctor
Your insurance information
Your street address (sometimes people panic and forget where they are)
Nearest cross roads or landmarks to find your home.
Poison control phone number 1-800-222-1222
Child safety kits are available for storing vital information about your children and the whole family in case of a missing person emergency.
If you have any questions about the information on this page please feel free to contact Kimberly at info@todaysbabies.com or call 1-717-741-0408 between 10am and 5pm EST.
If you have an emergency please dial 911!
