How to Baby-Proof Your Home

Inventory each room in your house and make a list of potential dangers and what steps you need to take to baby-proof the area. Get down on your knees to view the world from your infant̵7;s perspective. Besides discovering dust balls in the corner, you will likely discover vulnerable safety spots that need attention.

Install child safety locks on any object that your little bundle might figure out how to open. Do not be surprised if your infant not only gains access to unlocked cabinets and cupboards, but laundry chutes, toilet lids and sliding doors, as well. While it is a good idea to keep household cleaning products and medications in a high cabinet, safety locks add additional security.

Fasten furniture, including bookcases and dressers, to the wall. Once your baby learns to crawl, climbing up wobbly furniture presents the risk of not only your little one tumbling to the floor, but bringing the furniture down with her.

Mount guards and install safety bars on windows and remove any furniture placed in front of windows. Your little Hercules possesses the strength to bang out the screen and fall through, all in one swipe. For added safety, keep windows open less than six inches and tie up blind cords.

Place decorative decals on sliding glass doors. Infants are not aware that glass provides a barrier, not an opening. Cover objects that can lead a curious child to danger, such as doorknobs, baseboard heaters, radiators and open fireplaces. Fit anti-slip pads underneath area rugs, avoiding slips and slides with your first-time walker.

Insert safety plugs in all electrical outlets and unused surge protector plugs, eliminating the danger of electrocution. Hide electrical cords and tape them to the floor. Open plugs and dangling cords serve as a magnet to tiny fingers and hands.

Place a gate across the top and bottom of stairways and closely monitor baby activity. Not only can your baby fall down unprotected stairs, but he can squeeze and tumble through handrail openings, as well. For added protection, wrap mesh netting around both banisters and railings.

Turn down your water heater̵7;s temperature to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Giving your infant a bath adds potential hazards, including scalding water and slippery bathtub bottoms. Position nonskid strips on the bathtub floor for further traction.

Measure crib bars, verifying the bars are less than 2 3/8 inches apart. Not only do you want to guard against your baby falling between crib bar openings, the changing table can be a plummeting threat once she learns how to roll over. Ensure baby̵7;s changing table has a seat belt.

Move breakable items, plants and small objects, such as change, rings and keys, out of baby̵7;s reach. Avoid the frustration of discovering great grandma̵7;s antique vase broken to pieces.