Childproofing your household is a key consideration whether you’re expecting a baby or already have them around the house. Threats to your child’s ability to be safe can be found everywhere, but sometimes they can be found in the most unexpected of places - your household. More than any other threat, it is more likely for a child between the ages of 1 and 4 to be killed by drowning, poisoning, fire, falling, or choking in their own house. Every year, approximately 2.5 children a year are killed or injured inside their very own home. You have to do more than just put your newborn in an approved playpen, like a Little Playzone, and expect them to be ok. This is why it is so important to take steps to baby proof your house.
Step 1: Size Up Your Area
Try to imagine that you are crawling or toddling. Picture your viewpoint from your child’s perspective. Which things would you try to reach? Which things might be tempting to you? What things might fall over? Would you pull on anything or try to use it to stand up? Try to spot things that my go into your infant’s mouth - any choking hazards or poisonous items. Either remove those things, secure them, or put them out of harm’s way. This step is critical.
Step 2: Cover Your Outlets
Take stock of your household’s electrical outlets. Are they in use? Can you cover them up completely? Be wary of using the plastic plug coverings - these are a major temptation for your baby to try to remove. As soon as your newborn can remove them, they’ll go right into your their mouth - a major choking hazard. Replace the full outlet covering instead. Use the kind that has a sliding safety latch if you need access to it. Also, look for any electrical cords or extension cords with connections - secure these with electrical tape.
Step 3: Appraise The Status of Your Furniture
As soon as your infant begins to crawl, they’ll begin pulling up on furniture or anything around them that they can grab onto. While its a good idea to start with a proper playpen, like a Little Playzone by Friendly Toys, it is a good idea to plan for every eventuality - they will want to explore as much of your house as you’ll allow. Keep televisions back from the edge of furniture so that they can’t fall (every year, 5,000 kids go to the hospital due to fallen TVs or furniture) and secure all moveable furniture.
Step 4: Build a Play Zone
It is a good idea to create a safe room for a newborn to play in by using safety gates. Keeping your infant in a specific room or just keeping them away from specific rooms (like the bathroom or the kitchen) is easy with safety gates. If you’re using safety gates to block the top of stairs, make sure to use the type that can be secured by screwing them into the door frame rather than just pressure. Of course, another option is to place your baby into a playpen or even a Friendly Toys Little Playzone, for extra security, knowing that they won’t go far.
Considering the risks involved, you can never be too safe when child proofing your home. Evaluate your area, cover your outlets, assess your heavy furniture, and create a safe play zone. These few steps are a great beginning to create a safe environment for your newborn to play.
