by: Lindsay Hutton
Outlets, stairs and cleaners are no-brainers when it comes to babyproofing your home, but what about the not-so-obvious dangers in your household? This list highlights everyday items that can become threats to your child and tips to keep your baby safe. For more tips, check out these essential babyproofing steps.
Secure Windows and Screens
If there's something your toddler can climb on, he will. So make sure not to place any furniture your child can climb on near windows, and install guards on the windows to prevent them from opening more than a couple of inches. (Newer window have small guards you can pop out.)
If a window needs to be opened for ventilation, open it from the top. Window guards or a safety gate can also keep your child from falling through a screen or out an open window.
To prevent your child from getting cut from a broken window, apply transparent safety film to your window panes. It won't keep the glass from breaking, but it will keep it from shattering into jagged shards.
Keep Plastic Bags Out of Reach
Plastic dry-cleaning bags and grocery bags can easily suffocate a small child if they get one over their mouth or chew on one. Throw dry-cleaning bags into the trash or recycling immediately, and make sure the trash and recycling bins are somewhere your child can't get into. If you save your plastic grocery bags, store them in a closet with a childproof latch or somewhere out of reach of your little one.
Lock Toilets
Bathtubs may be the first thing that comes to mind when babyproofing your bathroom, but don't forget the toilet. It takes very little water for a child to drown, and a toilet is the perfect height for a little one to pull himself up into a standing position. Children can also fall in if they're reaching for a toy or object they may have dropped in there.
Don't leave your child unsupervised in the bathroom, even for just a short amount of time. Also, installing a toilet lock that automatically locks the lid when it's down will help prevent your child from pulling the lid up and falling in (or throwing toys in there, which is probably another thing you'd like to avoid).
Put Away Toiletries
Another often-overlooked bathroom babyproofing item is toiletries. Shampoo, conditioner, makeup, lotions and other hygiene products can all be dangerous if consumed in large amounts. While babyproofing your bathroom, make sure you put them all away and out of reach. And make sure you don't leave then out on the counter during a busy morning.
Babyproof the Oven
Obviously ... keep the kids away from the oven. You know that. But don't forget these extra safety measures. Install knob covers or remove the knobs completely to keep your child from turning on any burners, especially if you have a gas stove. Install a latch on the oven door to keep it from being opened and a splash guard to protect your child from any hot splatters. Finally, always turn pot handles inward when cooking to keep your child from reaching up and pulling any pots or pans down.
Remove Antiques
This can be a tricky one, because antiques might contain lead paint, which can be hazardous to your baby if he ingests any paint chips. So grandma's old vase or your cute vintage table could pose health risks to your baby. If you have any antiques that contain lead paint, or any other suspicious old objects, remove them from your home or move them to a room your baby doesn't go in.
Keep Household Plants Out of Reach
Did you know daffodil bulbs are poisonous? So is elephant ear. Many common plants are toxic and should be kept away from your baby. Potting soil also poses a choking hazard to young children. Be aware of all the plants you have in your home and whether or not they are poisonous.
And that goes for the plants in your garden, too. Rhubarb stalks, for example, are great for pies, but the leaves can be toxic. And hydrangea flowers contain cyanide.
Keep all poisonous plants out of reach of children or out of your home and garden completely, and stay away from using rocks or other small objects in your potting soil.
Babyproof the Basement
Most people don't think to babyproof a basement, especially an unfinished one that doesn't exactly feel like a real "room" in your house. But if your basement is unfinished, the exposed pipes and wires are basically the definition of someplace not safe for baby. And any exposed insulation can be harmful if swallowed. Basements can also harbor mold and other air-polluting toxins.
Limit the time your baby spends in your unfinished basement, and always make sure they're supervised. Finally, outfit your basement door with a childproof lock to keep him from opening it and tumbling down the basement stairs.
Lock Trunks and Toy Chests
Hinged lids of trunks and toy chests can fall on your child, causing injury to his head or neck or trapping him inside. If you have a trunk or toy chest like this, the safest thing to do is remove the lid.
If you don't want to remove the lid, a lid support can keep it open in any position you like (heavier lids might require two supports). Also consider drilling ventilation holes into any trunk just in case your child falls inside and becomes trapped — this will help keep him from suffocating and make it easier to hear his calls for help.
Secure Doorknobs
Once your toddler learns how to use a doorknob, chances are he'll be using every doorknob he can find. And whether they lead outside, down the basement stairs, or just into a room with some breakable items, doors can open to areas your child shouldn't be. Cover all doorknobs you don't want your child opening with doorknob covers. Plastic doorstops can also prevent doors from opening. You can also install finger protectors to keep your child from getting his fingers pinched.
Bookcases, Dressers, and Other Climbable Furniture
Ongoing Childproofing
Childproofing your home isn't just a one-time chore. A whole new set of concerns present themselves when your baby starts walking. And as your child gets older, more hazards may present themselves. When your child grows taller, he may bang his head on sharp corners or edges that are higher up, and you will need to do a second pass to secure any objects that used to be out of your child's reach.
Another tip is to get down to your baby's level. Being on your hands and knees can give you a new perspective and can help you babyproof an area of your home you missed earlier. And always remember, supervision is the best way to keep your child safe.
