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Baby Proofing Your Home Or Apartment
There are all kinds of things to think about at the beginning of a pregnancy. The moment you find out that a baby is coming, there are lifestyle changes to be made. You shop for maternity wear, and perhaps start to design a nursery for the child. You choose wallpaper, and pick out furniture. When you start planning a baby shower, you might register for baby clothes, strollers, cribs and other items you need.
At this beginning stage, the things you have to purchase are on your mind more than the things you have to hide. Infants cannot get around by themselves, so there is less danger of them getting into things. However, right around the time you can fit back into your skinny jeans, it will be time to start planning for a crawling baby, and learning how to baby-proof your home. You need to figure out the items that are safe for the baby, and the ones that need to be hidden.
Heat, Fire and Electrical Sockets
You want to be sure that the child cannot be electrocuted or burned. Certain items, such as a hairdryer or a portable space heater, should be kept completely out of reach if they are present at all. Electrical sockets must be covered. You can buy plastic covers at almost any drugstore. If you have a fireplace, there should be a barrier between the fireplace and the child, and neither child nor fireplace should be left unattended if there is a fire burning.
Keep Poisonous Items Away
The child should not be able to reach anything that could be harmful if swallowed. Cleaning supplies need to be stored in the highest cabinets. If this is not possible, the cabinet where they are stored should be locked. Any medications should be child-proof, and you should never leave out medicine or cleaning products. Pet food should also be kept out of the child’s reach.
Miscellaneous Concerns
In addition to keeping dangerous items away from the child, you also need to make sure that all staircases are covered when the child is crawling. You can purchase baby gates, which cover the entrance to the staircase so the baby can’t go up or down. Make sure that all of the child’s toys are age appropriate, and don’t contain parts that the child could swallow. Be extra vigilant about cleaning up spills or broken glass. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can make sure that your house is safe for your baby.