baby

You’ve got a lot on your mind right now if you’ve just had a baby. There’s so much to think about now, and one of the most important things to check off your list is eliminating potential hazards in your home to make it safe for your new addition.

1. Starting with general areas of the home, outlet covers are crucial, as are railings and safety gates for your stairs. Pets should be acclimated by being introduced to the blanket from the hospital with the baby’s scent on it. Every bedroom should have a smoke detector nearby, and a smoke and carbon monoxide detector is required for every level of your house. Sharp-edged tables should be outfitted with bumpers, and it’s best to put away glass-top tables for the time being.

2. The kitchen is an area of concern with a new baby entering the picture. Lock away hazardous cleaning solutions, and put locks on accessible cabinets and on the refrigerator. Glassware, china and knives should be kept in higher cabinets. Never leave pots boiling on the stove when you are not in the kitchen, and make sure that the handles of pots and pans on the stove are not accessible to little ones.

3. Your doors and windows should be secured with locks that are too high for a child to reach. A great concern in terms of window treatments is that the cords on blinds can be dangerous to small children. Take the time to ensure that these cords do not hang too low.

4. In the bathroom, invest in a sturdy toilet seat lid-lock, and stow away all dangerous items, including hair dryers, curling irons, razors, clippers, and scissors. Make sure that you have a non-slip mat in the bathtub, and, if you desire, a handrail in the tub as well.

5. There was a recent law banning the manufacture and sale of drop-side cribs in May of 2010. Many parents have relied on this style of crib for generations, but they should no longer be used, even if you currently have one in your home. They have been proven to be harmful, and many injuries and fatalities have occurred using this type of crib.

Some things in life are too important to do haphazardly, and preparing your home so that it is safe for your baby is one of them. Getting ready for your child’s homecoming will mean one less thing to worry about, and you can put all of your energy and attention into enjoying this precious time with your new baby. ?

Ruth Williams writes on nearly every topic you can imagine, including online degree programs and online colleges for working adults.

baby