Once a baby starts to crawl, everything in sight is a potentially dangerous object. Babies put everything in their mouths, they want to touch everything or put their fingers inside everything, and they often fall down — or into or onto things. A mobile baby will make you start to view your apartment as a death trap.
Fortunately, it is relatively easy to make your apartment a safe place for your baby. Here are a few ways you can baby proof your apartment:
Cover the Outlets
Babies like to stick their fingers in any holes where they’ll fit. Even though outlets are likely too small for little fingers, they aren’t too small for baby to try to fit other objects into, such as knives, pens, toys, and other small objects. Buy the little plastic prong covers to keep little fingers out.
Lock the Cabinets
You don’t have to literally install locks on all your cabinets, but you do need to install child-proof latches that make it hard for a baby (and maybe you) to open them. Be sure to put the latches on all cabinets in your kitchen and bathroom (where poisonous chemicals and sharp objects are kept), as well as the doors and drawers on your end tables, curio cabinets, storage cabinets, bookcases, and more. If it can be opened, you need a baby latch on it.
Latch the Toilet
If your baby can lift the toilet lid, not only can he play in unsanitary waters, but he can even drown in them. Babies have big heads for their little bodies, and they can easily become unbalanced by that top-heavy weight. If they were to lose their balance by the toilet, they could become stuck and drown. Make sure you keep the toilet cover latched to prevent a tragedy.
Cover Door Knobs
It may seem hard to imagine now, but soon your baby will be pulling up and toddling around. When this happens, he will be able to open doors. If he opens the wrong door — say the front door — he could toddle out to real danger. Cover your door knobs with baby-proof covers to prevent doors from being opened.
Bumper Sharp Corners
Once your baby is pulling up and cruising or toddling, there are many more items that pose a danger. Babies aren’t too steady on their feet at first, and they fall down often, bumping their heads along the way. Place protective bumpers around sharp corners and edges to keep your baby safe.
Hide Cords
Babies like to put everything in their mouths. That includes electrical plugs. Which may or may not be plugged into heavy appliances or even the wall. They also like to chew. Again, even on cords that may be attached to an active electrical source. Make sure to keep cords out of sight and away from little hands.
Put Away Plants
Plants provide a nice ambience to a room. However, they also offer a portable buffet for babies who, again, like to put everything in their mouths. Many common household plants are poisonous if eaten, or they have the potential to make your baby very, very sick. Keep plants out of the reach of your baby by hanging them from the ceiling, putting them on a high shelf, or putting them outside.
Secure Heavy Furniture
You might not think your baby is strong enough to pull down that heavy bookcase. However, many large pieces of furniture need only to be hit at the right angle to be thrown off balance and to come tumbling down. Use earthquake straps to secure tall, heavy furniture like bookcases and shelves to keep them from falling.
Once you have a crawling, cruising baby, all bets are off. Nothing in your apartment will be safe again! However, you can help to make it a little less dangerous by following some of these baby-proofing measures to keep hazards contained.
How did you prepare your apartment for the arrival of your baby? Share your tips in the comments!
This is a guest post byDana Viktor. Dana is the senior researcher and writer for duedatecalculator.org. Her most recent accomplishments include graduating from Ohio State University with a degree in communications and sociology. Her current focus for the site involves pregnancy stages.
