How to Babyproof a Living Room

It may be exciting to see your baby begin to crawl. But when those first attempts suddenly develop into full-on mobility, you know it's (past) time to babyproof your home. Your living room may seem fairly innocuous. After all, there are no sharp knives or hot stoves to worry about. But as you look around, there may be many dangers that your curious little one can uncover. You can put your mind at ease by taking a few safety measures in every room of your home.

Things You'll Need

  • Corner guards
  • Hearth pad
  • Fireplace barrier
  • Baby gates
  • Wall anchors
  • Outlet covers
  • Electrical tape

Instructions

    • 1

      Provide open spaces in your living room to allow your baby to crawl freely. Remove the coffee table, if possible, to give your baby a safe space to explore. Put corner guards on tables to protect your little one from injury if he falls against the furniture.

    • 2

      Use protective pads on the edges of your hearth. Place a barrier around the fireplace to reduce the danger of burns. Place fireplace tools out of reach. Never leave your child unattended if there is a fire going in the fireplace.

    • 3

      Place baby gates in doorways, as well as at the top and bottom of stairs.

    • 4

      Anchor the TV to the cabinet or wall to keep your baby from pulling it down onto himself. Anchor bookcases to the wall as well. Active babies may try to climb up a bookcase, causing it to tip over.

    • 5

      Use safety covers in outlets to prevent accidental shock. Remember that outlets are at eye level for crawling babies.

    • 6

      Secure electrical cords along baseboards with electrical tape. Avoid dangling cords that your little one can pull, causing lamps or electronics to fall. Be sure that you don̵7;t run cords under area rugs; this can cause a tripping and be a fire hazard.

    • 7

      Cover controls for your TV or other electronics.

    • 8

      Cut the loops on cords for your shades or drapes. Babies can choke if they become tangled in looped cords. Alternately, secure cords to the wall or place them out of your child̵7;s reach.

    • 9

      Place breakables out of reach and store them there until your baby is older, if you are not able to monitor him constantly in your living room. Check the floor for small objects, such as buttons, pins, rubber bands or paper clips, which he might put in his mouth.

    • 10

      Keep plants out of reach. Be sure the plants you have are nontoxic.

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