Checklist: How to Baby-Proof Your Home

30th January 2018

Your little one is finally up and on the move and getting faster and more curious about everything by the second. Before you get the normal parental anxieties of them getting into something super dangerous, go through this room-by-room checklist to make your home more child-friendly, taking away some nerves.

Nursery

Make sure that your cot meets the current safety standards. When placing the cot in the nursery make sure to keep it away from any windows or things that may be hanging on the wall.
Secure all larger furniture to the walls. When your little ones are learning to walk, they will try to pull themselves up on anything they can get their little hands on. So, it is important to secure those larger pieces to the wall to prevent any dangerous accidents.

Bathroom

Install a safety latch on the toilet seat to prevent your child from getting their hands into it, and possibly dropping things that don’t belong down there.
Make sure that you have a functioning door, that can shut and lock. Getting into the habit of closing the door behind you is the best way to avoid accidents in the bathroom.
Make sure that all wires from blow-dryers, straighteners and any other small appliances used in the bathroom are up off the floor, so they aren’t tempted to pull.

Kitchen

Put safety latches on all the lower cabinet doors and make sure that all sharp and dangerous items are locked away higher up, so they don’t get into something dangerous.
Install safety locks on the stove knobs to prevent your little one from turning on the burner, and install a safety lock the oven door as well.
Make sure that all small appliances that aren’t being used are unplugged and put somewhere out of their reach.
Make sure that your bin is in a locked cabinet, or switch it out for one with a lid that isn’t easy for your little one to open.

Living Areas

Put bumpers on or around all the sharp corners and edges such as the fireplace, coffee table, and television cabinet etc.
Put outlet covers on all outlets not being used, not only in the living area but all throughout the house.
Put baby gates at all door openings that lead to stairs, and rooms that you don’t what your little one exploring with their new-found freedom.
Remove all blind/window cords or install ones that do not require cords to operate, so that the child does not end up entangled in them.

But accidents do happen and in the event that your little one gets a bump or bruise (as all toddlers do from time to time), one of the first things you should reach for is the First Aid Butter to help relieve pain and reduce swelling.