by Tammy Lim

Created on: May 19, 2008   Last Updated: June 10, 2008

Having a baby or a toddler is our home brings life, joy, love, fun and laughter to a house. As baby or toddler is very young and not able to distinguish between danger and safety, it is of utmost importance that the adults know how to baby and toddler-proof a house BEFORE a baby or toddler can safely stay in the house. Deliberate efforts and careful planning and thinking are required to get the required settings in a house.

In order to keep baby and toddler safe in a house, we need to take special care and make an effort in the house layout and in our handling and placement of items.

HALL

When there is staircase in the hall, always put on the child safety barrier. This will block the child and prevent him or her from falling and rolling down the stairs.
Forget about displaying big glass or porcelain vases, statues or other similar items. This will take away the chance of having the glass or porcelain item being knocked down and broken.
Avoid having full length glass display cabinets, as there are fragile and may break if being knocked on.
Avoid heavy glass coffee table tops (especially if the glass top is movable) as these pose as danger hazards to baby and toddler.
Have furniture made of wood, table tops with round corners. These are safe and help keep the adult's mind at ease. It lessens the need to be on full alert 100% of the time when toddler move near the table.
Keep the coffee table decoration free every other day; in other words, do not leave decorative pieces on the coffee table. An innocent toddler may be unknowingly put small items into his mouth, nostrils or ears. It is important to keep all small objects out of sight and out of reach from the baby and toddler.
Whenever there are drinks on the table, someone has to keep an eye on the baby and toddler.
Keep the baby and toddler busy with toys at his designated fun corner when there are guests.
Either have washable rugs beneath the coffee table or nothing at all.
Sofas that are made of medium grade leather or PVC are suitable as these do not soak through easily.
Keep wires, plugs and switches hidden behind cabinets and out of reach of toddler.

KITCHEN

Place a child safety barrier locked at the kitchen door when no adult is in the kitchen.
When cooking needs to be done, it may be a good idea to place the child in a play pen within the mummy's view.
Fit on child lock on all low drawers and cabinets to prevent the toddler from opening them too easily.
Get stove where the knobs are located on the table top, either right or left of the stove.
Do take special care not to allow the handles of pots and pans jut out from the side of the stove. Always keep the handles in, out of reach of little hands.
All knifes, sharp objects and medicine need to be kept on the high cabinets and locked up.
Keep small stools away from kitchen cabinets to prevent little ones from climbing up.

CHILD'S ROOM

Instead of a baby cot, consider converting it into a low bed when baby grows into toddler.
Keep powder, lotions, creams and blankets in high cabinets at all times unless mummy is using them for toddler grooming.
Avoid strings, brittle plastics and heavy toys.
Do not leave 2 children to play in the room without adult supervision.

REAL CASE IN ASIA:

It was in our local newspaper many years ago about this little two year old boy who accidentally crashed a piggy bank on the head of his four year old sister who passed away as a result.

A little more care to protect our little ones from harm is life preserving and well worth it when we look back in the future. Our children are precious and they are great gifts of life from our Creator, may we protect them the best we can while they are still young.

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