Tips on How to Baby-Proof Your Home
Your baby is now crawling, climbing and walking
along the furniture. It is time now to get down on
your hands and knees and take a look around at what
baby is looking at and curious about. Crawl from room
to room and pick up anything you see small or fragile
that may fit into your baby’s hand and mouth. Examples
of objects that pose a choking hazard include:
 |
Nuts |
|
|
Pen caps |
|
|
Buttons |
|
|
Thumb tacks |
|
|
Marbles |
|
|
Coins |
Babies just love to pull and grab at any cord or
string they can reach and get hold of. You will need
to keep electrical, telephone and window-blind cords
tied up and inaccessible. Keep these things out of
reach near your baby’s crib as well.
Clothing sometimes poses a hazard to babies. Be sure
your baby’s clothes fit properly. A shirt too big may
pose a problem if your baby wriggles out of it and
twist it around his or her neck. Check clothing for
loose strings, ribbons or strips of fabrics. Avoid
jewelry such as necklaces, headbands and pierced
earrings without child-safety backs.
Tips about crib safety:
|
|
Be sure the sheets fit snugly. You
want to avoid any kind of loose bedding. |
|
|
Remove the bumper
pads when your baby is able to pull up to a
standing position |
|
|
Crib railings should
be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Crib sides
should be flush with the headboard and footboard. |
|
|
Old baby furniture
may be painted with lead pain. Avoid antique or
vintage cribs |
|
|
Mattress should fit
snugly in the crib |
|
|
Always remove the
plastic wrap off baby’s mattress |
|
|
If you use a
mattress cover, use one with a zipper that fits
snugly |
|
|
Do not place the
crib next to a window |
|
|
Do not hang anything
from the crib railings |
Purchase baby safe, age-appropriate toys and do not
let your baby play with balloons, marbles, coins or
other small objects. Discard toys that may fit into
your baby’s mouth when compressed. Avoid toys with
cords or long strings; babies can wrap these around
their neck and create a choking hazard. Check eyes,
buttons or anything tightly fastened to a toy to be
sure it is snugly in place. Always remove plastic
wrapping and stickers from new toys and discard
immediately.
When your baby starts to walk around the furniture
remove wobbly tables or pieces of furniture that might
turn over if your baby uses them as a crutch to stand
up. Be careful about bookcases that might tip over.
Install safety locks and latches on kitchen and
bathroom cabinets and drawers to keep baby out of
possible poisonings and other items that are not for
baby play. To further prevent accidental poisonings
keep the following items out of reach:
|
|
Alcohol |
|
|
Medications |
|
|
Vitamins |
|
|
Paint thinner |
|
|
Toilet bowl cleaners |
|
|
Oven cleaners |
|
|
Bleach |
|
|
Ammonia |
|
|
Dishwasher soap |
|
|
Drain openers |
Many of these items can be stored behind safety locks
and latches on kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
Go through your home often looking for new hazards.
Always remember, a very important safeguard for your
baby is continuous adult supervision.
