|
Click Here for more articles
|
|
|
Baby Proof Your Home - Frequently Asked
Questions
|
|
by: Martin Smith
|
Keeping your baby safe at all times is one of your
greatest concerns and responsibilities. There is so much to consider and it
is very easy to overlook something that might be fairly obvious to some but
escape others. Things like covering electrical outlets, putting up baby
gates and turning pot handles to the rear of the stove are discussed in
this article and is presented in a question and answer format.
Q. What is the best way to approach baby-proofing our home?
The best way is to see your home from the eyes of your child. It is
recommended that you get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your
home. This will enable you to see hazards you might not have recognized at
your full height. Are electrical outlets in baby’s reach or are there
electric cords hanging down that your baby can pull on or get tangled in?
Does your furniture have sharp corners? Are there precious items at your
baby’s level that should be put up out of reach?
Q. What is the most hazardous situation for my baby?
Any situation that places your baby in harm’s way is the worst situation
for your baby. The most hazardous situation for your baby is choking or
anything that might cause him to stop breathing. The most hazardous
situation for you baby is one that caused an injury that could have been
prevented.
Q. What are some things I need to consider when I am baby-proofing our
home?
There are many things to consider. Your baby is a quick mover so it is
never really safe to leave him unattended if at all possible. Consider
putting up all valuables and breakable items out of reach of your baby’s.
Anything that is small enough to fit in his mouth should be removed. If in
doubt as to whether any one item is small enough to fit in your baby’s
mouth and pose a choking hazard take an empty toilet paper roll. If it fits
inside the tube it go in his mouth and possibly harm him.
Q. Why do I need baby safety gates?
Baby safety gates can be placed in doorways or at the top and bottom of
staircases. The gates can prevent your baby from getting into the kitchen
or bathroom. They can also prevent your baby from tumbling down the stairs
or climbing the stairs and falling. The mesh or the holes in the gate
should not be large enough for your baby to put his toes through to climb
the gate. Gates now are being made to operate hands-free or one handed.
There are gates being made with the bars going vertical instead of
horizontal reducing the chances of your baby being able to climb the
gate.
Q. What are electric outlet covers or locks?
Electric outlet covers look like plastic plugs when they are inserted and
prevents your baby from sticking his fingers or something else in the
outlet and getting a serious shock. Electric outlet lock plates can replace
typical outlets and in order to insert anything into the outlet the plug
has to be inserted and turned.
Q. It was suggested to me that I have motion alarms on our doors and
windows, why would I need them?
Some kids are very active and able to do things you would be very surprise
about. Children have been known to open windows and fall through screens
and become seriously injured. There are many news stories where toddlers
have gotten up in the night and unbeknownst to their parents open the door
and go outside. Some are found wandering around and others are not so
lucky. Some windows now come with a mechanism to prevent the window from
being opened more than an inch or two. The alarms will alert you to the
door opening and you can intervene before something tragic happens.
Q. What kind of baby-proofing products are available?
There all kinds of baby products available and most are reasonably priced.
There are motion sensors, corner cushions for sharp corners on furniture.
There are electric outlet covers, cabinet and drawer locks of different
types and cord retractors for window blinds.
Q. Is there anything available to protect my baby from getting in between
banister posts?
There is netting available that can be attached with screws that will
prevent your baby from getting between the banister posts. This product is
similar to the deck netting available for outdoor decks.
Q. Are there baby proofing checklists available?
Yes there are baby-proofing checklists available. You can locate them
online and they are printable. Specialty stores, hospitals, and
pediatricians are all possible sources for such checklists.
Q. How can I baby proof my nursery?
You can baby proof your nursery by keeping your baby’s crib away from
windows and blinds cords. Put outlet protectors on all outlets. Make
certain to dress your baby in sleepers rather than using blankets. When
your baby begins sitting up place the mattress in the lowest position. Do
not put stuffed animals or pillows in the crib with your little one, they
could nestle up to them and suffocate.
Q. How can I baby proof my kitchen?
Put all cleaners or chemicals up out of reach of your baby. Make sure all
drawers and cabinet doors. While cooking put all pot handles toward the
rear of the stove. Do not allow electric cords to hang over counters where
your baby can pull on them. Better still, if possible unless you are
feeding your baby keep him out of the kitchen.
Q. How can I baby proof my car?
You can baby proof your car by making sure the car seat your baby will ride
in is installed correctly and that it is the correct one for your baby.
Remove all loose items that could become missiles in a crash or quick stop,
and place them in the trunk.
In Conclusion
The bottom line of baby proofing your home and your car is to be mindful
that the most common things can be hazardous to a baby or small child. You
can obtain a checklist of things to look for when baby-proofing your home.
Window blinds cords should be shortened and outlets should be covered. Look
at your home and car through your baby’s eyes, you might be surprised at
hazards you miss when you are looking from adult height.
About the Author:
Martin Smith is a successful
freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of
Nursery Beddingand more! His numerous articles
provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant
information.
Circulated by My Article
Emporium
|
|