How to Child Proof Your Home

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Child Proof Your Home baby playing

Having a baby can be one of the most wonderful times in your life, but it can also be one of the most daunting. There are so many things that will change, and so many new things that you are going to have to deal with and all at the hands of a tiny little person who will have you wrapped around their little finger.

You will want to do everything you can to protect your infant and one very important way you can do this is by making sure that your house is child proofed. Whilst you might be forgiven for thinking that you have plenty of time before you need to do this – after all babies stay where you put them for quite a few months – there are a few things you can do before they are even born and believe us, once the baby is here, time will fly!

You will want to do everything you can to protect your infant and one very important way you can do this is by making sure that your house is child proofed.

Flooring

When it comes to child proofing many people would not expect flooring to be on the list, but it should be, and for some very good reasons. Babies leak!

Some babies suffer with reflux, which can mean you will regularly be mopping up sick, and they drool…lots. Unfortunately, even nappies leak too- so if you have carpet in your lounge it will really be put through its paces with a small child in the house. Keeping it clean and hygienic can be an extra job you just don’t need. It doesn’t get much better as they get older either, as toddlers spill juice and squash biscuits onto the floor, and then there is the potty training…

If you are thinking about decorating some of your home before your baby is born, then it might be worth considering hardwood flooring for your lounge as part of that. It is easy to clean and keep hygienic which is fantastic news when you have children.

Cupboards and Drawers

It is worth investing in locks or catches for your cupboards and drawers, especially those in your kitchen. Once children become mobile they are remarkably fast and into everything. Before you can react, they will have the contents of your kitchen cupboard all over the floor, and themselves. Whilst a little bit of flour or pasta is easy to clean up there are some things that you really do need to make sure that they cannot get at like washing detergent and any cleaning sprays you might keep in your kitchen.

One simple cupboard catch could save you a very upsetting trip to A&E. You should also make sure you put drawer catches on your kitchen drawers as they are often full of sharp things that can be dangerous to small children.

Heavy Objects

Sometimes it is easy to forget about the everyday items of furniture that we have in our homes prior to the birth of our children, but with so many stories in the news of children injured or killed by heavy falling objects it is important to take a little time to make sure these are tethered to the walls. Modern TV’s are not as stable as older models and it is important to make sure that they are secured to the wall, so they can’t topple over. Flat packs of furniture are usually supplied with tethers. But, if you no longer have them you either contact the company, they are usually happy to send replacements or, pop to your local DIY store where they will have something suitable, they only take a few minutes to put in place.

Stairs

You will also want to invest in a couple of stair gates; for both top and bottom of your stairs. Once your baby is on the move it can take seconds for them to reach the top of the stairs or start to climb up from the bottom.

If you put all these tips into practice before you bring baby home, although you won’t have much time, you’ll certainly have a little less to worry about once your bundle comes home.

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