Looking after a baby can be a handful for any parent. As they begin crawling and walking their curiosity and independence can leave them exposed to potential hazards around the house.
As a parent, this can be a nerve-wracking time and you may feel the need to keep your young child under constant supervision. In this article, we are helping parents keep babies safe around the home by sharing some helpful safety tips.
Kitchen Safety
The kitchen can be a hazardous place for any small child. Hot appliances, sharp objects and tempting ingredients are just some of the dangers that can present themselves to your baby. However, many of these risks can be minimized by taking the following precautions:
· Install stove knob covers and cook with pots and pans on back burners with their handles turned away, to keep them out of reach from your child
· Use safety locks on drawers which contain sharp objects such as knives, blades and scissors and on cabinets containing bleach, detergent and other harmful chemicals
· Keep saran wrap and aluminum foil dispensers out of reach as the serrated edges can cause injury to your child
· Unplug electrical appliances, such as kettles, toasters, food processors and blenders when they are not being used
Bathroom Safety
During bathtimes, never leave your baby unattended. Bathe them in water that is at the right temperature, aiming for about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you do not have a thermometer another good way to test the water is by dipping your elbow in to check it is just right.
Baby-proof your toilet seat with a toilet lock to eliminate any risk of your infant drowning. A lock will also prevent your toilet from getting clogged with toys or other objects your child might put down.
Make sure to store away electrical items such as electric shavers and hair dryers in locked cabinets as their cords can cause strangulation as well as the risk of injury from using these appliances. All medications, cleaning products, mouthwashes and sharp items such as tweezers, razors and scissors should also be kept out of reach and stored in a child-proof cabinet or drawer.
Safety Around the House
When it comes to ensuring a safe indoor environment here are some suggestions for other parts of your house.
· Use outlet covers on electrical sockets to eliminate the risk of an electrical shock
· Pick up any small objects such as buttons, toy parts, coins or marbles as your child can swallow them and easily choke
· Install a lift-lock security gate at both ends of your staircase
· Keep cords from blinds out of reach to prevent them from getting caught around your child’s neck, causing strangulation
· Secure furniture such as dressers and bookshelves safely to the wall using safety straps to prevent your child pulling it onto them
· Baby-proof your windows using window guards or locks to prevent your child from falling out
· Fit edge protectors onto the corners of furniture, tables and cabinets to prevent the sharp edges from injuring your child
· Do not leave your child unattended near matches, candles or other flammable objects and place a fireguard around your fireplace
By following the suggestions in this article you can have peace of mind knowing your baby will be safe as they explore their surroundings.
