by Katerina Nikolas

Created on: December 29, 2010   Last Updated: January 02, 2011

Every parent wants their baby to be safe at home. Often one only realizes the potential dangers when a little imagination is used. The horrific scenarios of baby rolling down a flight of stairs, discovering that fire burns, electric shocks, and toilets can be fallen into can all best be ascertained from the perspective of the floor.

Lying low and imagining the electrical cords attached to boiling kettles which tiny arms could reach for will send most parents scurrying around to child proof the home, which inevitably involves a trip to the store for essential items to keep baby safe. When each room is examined for danger spots a list should be compiled of the necessary items to baby proof the home.

Any home which has stairs will need to be fitted with stair gates, both top and bottom. These should be sturdy with child proof catches as will be in situ until baby is a child firm of footing. It is worth looking for something which will fit in with the homes décor as they will probably be in place for several years. They do a wonderful job in preventing baby tumbling down stairs and will give peace of mind to anxious parents.

The kitchen can be a hazardous place for baby. Replace electrical cords with short ones or loop existing ones to wall tacks to keep them from dangling. A stove guard is an excellent idea to keep fingers from being burned, whilst child proof locks are a good idea to prevent tiny fingers from becoming trapped in drawers or cupboard doors. Dangerous cleaning materials and medicines are best either locked away or kept out of reach.

If baby will be spending time in the kitchen it is worth investing in a large cosy playpen with a comfortable cushion to keep them from crawling into potentially dangerous spots. It also helps parents to know exactly where baby is when engaged in activities such as meal preparation.

A fire guard is vital to keep baby safe from any fireplaces in the home, especially as fire can have a mesmerizing appeal for infants who have no concept of how heat can hurt. Beware of dangling blind cords which can easily cause strangulation and either hook them out of reach or replace with baby proof ones. Child safety window stoppers are a good idea too, as are window guards which will prevent baby taking a tumble down into the yard.

Crawling around on the floor is the best way to identify those lethal corners which need to be baby proofed with corner guards. Tables, work surfaces, anything with a sharp angle, will need to be covered. Whilst on the floor cast an eye over the electrical sockets and add up how many child proof socket covers need to go on the list.

Babies should never be left untended for a moment in the bathroom. Toilet locks are available to prevent baby falling in, and non slip mats are a good idea for the bathtub.

No matter what items you purchase to baby proof your home it is never too soon to teach the concept of ‘no’ and illustrate with examples. It is a good idea to demonstrate the pain of a trapped finger, a singed teddy, and a bumped head, which all go to reinforce the potential dangers. Just remember to retrieve a sodden teddy from the toilet before flushing in case it blocks the pipes.

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