Baby Proofing Your Little One’s Room

Curiosity among children often encourages them to explore around the house if something new catches their attention, they must know its purpose. Now, without having a detailed understanding of the complexity of the world we live in, they either try to put newly obtained items in their mouth or if they have seen an elder using it, in a way, they would try to mimic the same. So, what are the practical solutions that can put an overthinking mind of a parent to rest? Below is a list of some of the most useful tips on baby proofing the room of the little human in the house:

Dangers from electrical sockets

Cover all electrical sockets in your baby’s room, if there are any. Children tend to insert various objects and end up becoming vulnerable to electric shocks. Dangling electrical cables should be
immediately fixed with the help of an electrician.

Safety from water hazards

Accompany the child to the bathroom whereas lock the doors at other times to prevent any accidents of them around the water storage or hot water from the geyser. You can also have a temperature-regulating device with an alarm that might alert you in case of exceptionally hot water. A very crucial point to remember at this point is the medicine cabinet in the bathroom which has your supplements in different colours. Assuming it to be a candy, there are chances that the baby will be tempted to pop them into his or her mouth.

Cot & Crib safety is crucial

While twin beds are an ideal choice for children, there is no need to have any heavy furniture in the baby’s room – a crib would do just fine. For your child’s safety, ensure that the cot or crib
does not have any sharp edges. Another way to ensure that the baby does not roll off the bed in sleep is to pile memory foam pillows all around the bed as a solid safety wall. While having a crib for the baby is every parent’s dream, you must check that the slats and corner posts meet the ideal distance guideline of 6 cm apart.

Hardware in the crib should not be substituted for the original parts. Get it professionally replaced, if it is damaged. The mattress should not have any loose threads so that the baby does not end up coiled with the string around the neck. In case you have older children but less space in the room, you can opt for folding beds for kids which you can later tuck away in the corner.

Changing table safety standards

A changing table forms a vital part of the baby’s room. You must check that the table is sturdy with a ground rail on four sides. Always keep the supplies such as diapers within easy reach for
you. This will enable you to be with the baby as long as you are using the changing table.

Also read: Should I breastfeed my baby in pandemic times?

A safe toy box

Toys scattered all over the nursery is not a pleasant sight for the eyes. These can also be a hazard for toddlers learning to walk as they might just step on a toy and hurt themselves. A good idea is to have an open shelf where the toys can be stored after the playing session. However, if you have opted for a storage box, you must make sure that there are hinge guards and the door does not close automatically trapping tiny fingers in between.

Doors and locks

While doors are important to keep stranger danger outside the house, they are vital in keeping the baby from not venturing out into the wild world. There comes a good number of safety instructions when you are talking about doors and locks such as the height of the doorknob should be such that the little one is not able to access it. You can also go for pin locking systems or get alarms activated for doors so you are alerted if the curious little being in the house tries to step out.

Remove chemicals from the house

Every house has a vast range of cleaning products that have chemicals. If you happen to be cleaning the baby’s room, do not forget to leave any of the cleaning materials to step outside to take a phone call or answer the doorbell. You must also use biodegradable cleaning agents in the house because these do not contain poisonous chemicals. In fact, homemade cleaning products such as vinegar, baking soda or lemon juice are only awfully tasting, if somehow the toddler gets the idea of tasting them.

Safety from windows

The inner spiderman in children immediately wants to jump into action as soon as they spot a window. To prevent that tumble, do not leave any dangling cords and ensure that the curtains fit the window frame. It is wise to invest in cordless window coverings if you are looking for a good quality sunlight blocker in the room.

Sharp Objects & knick-knacks

Be extremely careful to not have any accessibility to sharp objects anywhere in the vicinity of the baby’s room. Shiny objects appeal to the inner explorer in a child. They tend to reach out and find a possible use for anything that has a gleam on the surface. Secure and lock items such as knives, gardening equipment, toolbox, objects made up of glass, and any other random items around the house that can pose a threat to the baby.

Baby proofing the younger one’s room can be an overwhelming process and might even result in a certain level of panic. Therefore, parents must start doing it step by step, right from the beginning. Some of the baby- proofing products are window locks, door knob covers, furniture guards, and pads, among many others.

While it is essential to baby proof the child’s room with do-it-yourself safety measures, parent supervision at all times is recommended for children under four years old. If you are getting perturbed about the possibility of overlooking something around the room or house while baby proofing, you can also reach out to seek professional advice on the same.