Having a child is one of the most rewarding experiences, but before your baby arrives, it’s essential to childproof your home. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists accidents as the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4.
Childproofing your home is a serious matter, and you should take the time to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of your new baby. Here are some essential ways that you can keep your newborn baby safe in your home.
Safety Locks
Installing safety locks is an important step in making sure your home is as safe as possible for your baby. Older babies are curious about their surroundings and often explore their homes. You need to prevent your baby from accessing cabinets because they may contain sharp objects or other potentially dangerous items.
Installing external locks or internal locks on your cabinets will greatly increase the safety of your child. We recommend installing magnetic safety locks. You install one side of the magnet inside the cabinet, and you use the other side to unlock the cabinet. The main benefit of installing a magnetic safety lock is that the cabinet door will lock automatically when closed. That way, you’ll never forget to re-latch a lock when you use the cabinet.
Childproofing Your Home Kitchen
Locking kitchen appliances, such as stoves, toasters, and coffee pots, is a guaranteed way to make your house safer. Try using stovetop covers so that your child cannot access your stove’s nobs. For smaller appliances, try locking them in your cabinets or putting them in a spot that makes it impossible for your child to access them.
An often overlooked part of childproofing the kitchen is making sure all placemats and tablecloths are secure. If an appliance, knife, or other object is on top of a placemat or tablecloth, you risk your child pulling down the loose fabric along with the dangerous object.
Another essential part of childproofing both your kitchen and the rest of your house is covering electrical outlets. Most electrocution injuries involve children between the ages of 1 and 4, so it is crucial to keep electrical outlets covered.
Stair Gates
Another critical step in preparing your home for your baby is putting up gates in front of your stairs. It’s easy, and it’s crucial for your child’s safety. There are two types of baby gates: hardware-mounted and pressure-mounted. You install hardware-mounted baby gates by screwing them into your door frame or wall, and with pressure-mounted baby gates, you adjust tension rods against your door frame or wall. Pressure-mounted baby gates are easier to install and won’t leave permanent damage to your door frame or wall, but hardware-mounted baby gates are more secure.
Window Guards and Window Stoppers
Unprotected windows are incredibly dangerous for your baby. Your baby could fall out of the unprotected window, which could lead to serious injury or death. To prevent this unthinkable thing from occurring, install window guards or stoppers.
Window guards act as barriers that prohibit your child from accessing the window. A window stopper is a great way to make your window accessible while also ensuring that your child can’t open it wide enough to crawl out.
Childproofing Your Home is Possible with Big D Building Center!
If you live in Jacksonville or Northeast Florida and have any questions about childproofing your windows, consult with our experts at Big D Building Center. We have 100 years of experience, so you can count on us to make your home baby-friendly and even more beautiful with our quality windows, doors, and sliders.