THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2020
BABY PROOF YOUR HOME
Preparing your home for a newborn’s arrival isn’t only about decorating a nursery and stocking up on new clothes and products. To ensure their safety, you should spend just as much time baby proofing certain dangers around your home. While each child develops differently, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest that most begin crawling between eight and twelve months and take their first steps around their first birthday. As they begin to move on their own, their curiosity can also be enhanced and used to explore their surroundings. Don’t procrastinate on child proofing your home because once they get moving, it can be difficult to keep up. Here are some areas in your home to focus on. Access to Rooms and Stairs A great way to keep an eye on your little one and restrict them from entering other rooms or accessing stairs is by blocking these areas with baby gates. Look for options that parents can easily open in case your hands are full. It can be quite a challenge to step over these barricades, especially when holding your baby or their necessities.
Remove Knobs While cabinet and stove knobs provide great convenience for adults, with access to these areas, children can find themselves in dangerous situations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kids 1 to 4 had the highest rate of poisoning. If you keep your cleaning chemicals in a cabinet, it’s important to either relocate them or lock the door. Stoves can be another hazard that can put everyone in the home at risk. Consider removing the burner knobs and ensuring your little one is out of the kitchen when it is hot. Stabilize Furniture According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, on average, one child dies every 10 days when a television or furniture falls onto him or her. Unanchored furniture can be dangerous especially when younger children use it as a brace to help them stand. Invest in anchors that work with your wall’s material to stabilize dressers and other heavy items.
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker