Parents should start toddler-proofing their home as soon as their child can stand. While they are exploring the world around them, your kid is more likely to trip, fall, and injure themselves. Here are ten ways you can minimize the chance of an accident with these baby-proofing techniques.
- Cover Electrical Outlets
Exposed outlets are a hazard for electrocution and injury. Depending on your resources and preferences, you can cover or hide these outlets. Perhaps the easiest method is to use plastic plugs, which are budget and toddler friendly.
2. Secure Loose Wires
Loose wires come in all shapes and forms. For instance, they can come from televisions, lamps, kitchen appliances, printers, and chargers. Considering that since the year 2000, hundreds of children have passed due to exposed wires and strangulation, it is essential to secure these loose ends with tape or adhesive.
3. Soften Sharp Edges
New parents will notice after buying a house how many potentially sharp corners and edges there are. Everything from the kitchen countertop to the coffee table becomes an instant liability. If you are worried about your child bumping their head on one of these edges, you can use baby-proof corner protects for their safety.
4. Buy a Gate
The adage is out of sight, out of mind. In this case, a gate can be a simple and effective way to separate your child from potentially dangerous household items. This strategy also means new parents can have peace of mind knowing their toddler is in a safe area no matter what.
5. Elevate Cleaning Products
The list of cleaning products for your children to avoid is lengthy. This notion makes sense. Bleach, mildew remover, and other cleaning products are meant to sanitize your home with powerful chemicals. Placing them in high cabinets can minimize the chance your toddler inadvertently gets their hands on them.
6. Put Plastic Bags Out of Reach
According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, plastic bags are among the common suffocation hazards for young children. Take a second to place these bags out of reach for even the most adventurous toddlers. If you are inclined to “go green,” you can also opt to recycle plastic bags immediately or purchase reusable bags instead.
7. Use Non-Skid Rugs
Unsecured rugs pose an imminent risk of sliding and slipping. One way to rectify this is with non-skid rugs with adhesive bottoms that stick to the floor without ruining the surface. You can also invest in ribbed surface mats, which go between the carpet and the floor.
8. Add Latch to Medicine Cabinet
More than 10,000 children end up in the emergency room each year because they got into their parent’s medicine cabinet. Adding a childproof lock or latch to outside can mitigate this risk. Additionally, do not let toddlers take medicine without supervision and avoid telling them that “it’s candy” when you do.
9. Opt for Plastic Instead of Glass
Simply put, glass is more likely to break than plastic. Under no circumstance should you allow your small child to hold glass objects. Instead, use plastic or reusable materials when it comes to plates, cups, bottles, and more.
10, Place Items in Center of Countertop
Placing larger or bulky items out of reach can make a significant difference in your child’s safety. Keeping things away from the edges reduces the chance of an accidental tip over. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 30,000 children get injuries from some form of appliance tip over.
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