Our little baby has grown into a mover and a shaker. She is crawling everywhere, and very soon she will be walking. Ruby has grown so fast! Along with her new mobility, she relishes her new independence to explore the house on her own. One of her favorite activities is to pull nightlights out of the sockets. (Looks like we need some more baby proof Sidelites you can buy here.) And today I caught splashing her hands in the toilet. Gross.
As your baby grows, it is important to make sure his or her surroundings are safe. I am so happy that the ladies at Modernize agreed to write some safety tips for baby proofing your child's bedroom. Enjoy the wise words below!
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Key Components of
Baby Proofing Your Child’s Room
-Kaitlin Krull at Modernize.com
Setting up a nursery is an exciting and important part of
waiting for baby to arrive. While the first few months of your baby’s life are
filled with night feedings, constant diaper changes, and lots of schedule
adjustments, things soon change. After your little one becomes mobile, your
attention turns to keeping her out of harm’s way when on the move. Here are the
basics for baby proofing your child’s room so she, and you, can enjoy it safely.
Furniture
Once your baby is on the move (crawling, pulling up,
standing) make sure your crib is on the lowest height setting and that any cot
bumpers or other toys are out of the crib. If you’ve made the switch to toddler
bed, consider a safety rail to stop nighttime rolling onto the
floor. As far as other bedroom furniture is concerned, make sure heavy units
are stable enough not to topple over when climbed on. To be extra safe, harness
the tops of the units to the wall using furniture tethers. Remove as many
potential climbing aides from the room, because once your baby learns how to
climb, she will.
Windows
Blind cords and drapes can be strangulation hazards, so make
sure to tie them up securely out of reach. As far as windows are concerned,
once your children can reach the windowsill (with or without climbing!) make
sure to keep windows securely locked. If this isn’t a possibility due to
weather, invest in safety locks that allow windows to open only
partially. The financial layout here will be more than repaid with your peace
of mind.
Outlets and wiring
Children have an uncanny ability to find and touch anything
they’re not supposed to, so ensure all unused outlets are covered with plug
covers. Lamps, baby monitors, and any other electrical appliances should be
kept out of reach and any cords or wires concealed behind shelving or other
furniture to prevent falling or potential strangulation hazards.
Choking hazards
If your child’s bedroom doubles as a playroom, just be sure
that any toys with small pieces are kept out of the room at nap and bedtimes.
Just as you think your little ones have passed the oral fixation stage, they
surprise you with their rediscovered penchant for sticking things in their
mouths. Small toys aren’t the only risk here; coins from piggy banks and
jewelry are also particularly enticing for children.
Doors and stairs
Safety gates on stairs or doorways stop children stumbling
in the night and getting into potentially dangerous situations. Choose mounted
or pressure fit safety gates to suit your needs and keep your baby safe. As for
doors, consider fitting a door stopper around the doorknobs to stop your
child slamming, pinching fingers, and accidentally locking herself in or out of
her room.
Extra security
If you’ve done all you can to babyproof your child’s room
but are still anxious about safety, consider investing in a video monitor (if
you don’t have one already). Knowing exactly what your kids get up to when
you’re not in the room is invaluable when it comes to your peace of mind.
Now that you have the basics down, it’s time to babyproof
the rest of the house. Follow the tips above and good luck! For more tips and tricks, head to Modernize.com.
Labels: Guest Postings, Happy Tidbits, Parenting
