Babyproofing Essentials

You should not wait until your little one is ready to crawl (around 6 to 10 months) to start thinking about Baby Safety: it is best to start to Baby proof your home as soon as possible, as this process that can take some time. We recommend to get started approximately three months before your due date, to spot any potentially hazardous areas in your home. This is the time to install stair gates, windows and door locks, fire guards and cabinet locks. As baby approaches crawling age, it will be time for a ‘crawling’ tour, to view the home like your baby will: this second ‘pass’ will highlight any additional safety issues.

But until then, and to get you started, here is our quick room-by-room childproofing rundown to get those basics covered!

Stairs: whether your preference is for pressure fitting or screw fitting, securely install stair gates to block stairways at the bottom and top. Never leave anything your child can climb (furniture, large toys, etc.) near bannisters or railings.

Living Room Safety: cover any sharp furniture edges and corners with Corner Protectors or Padded Edge Guards. Secure any furniture that can topple and that can be climbed on or pulled down (like bookcases, wall units, dressers or chests or drawers) to the walls with Furniture Straps. Keep TVs on low furniture and pushed as far back as possible, or secure them with TV Straps. Move all electrical cords out of child’s reach, and close electrical outlets off with safety plugs or safety covers. Blind cords pose a serious safety hazard as babies can become entangled in them: tie them up using Cord Wind-Ups. If you have a fireplace, install a fire guard or hearth gateand store logs, matches, and fireplace tools out of reach.

Kitchen Safety: your child will want to be near you when you are cooking, so ensure to get an oven door lock and stove knob covers. install an oven guard and stove top guard to prevent any scalding. Secure the refrigerator with a dedicated multi lock. You should add childproof drawer and cupboard locks to all the storage spaces in your kitchen, regardless of what they contain. For extra safety, move any potentially dangerous items (such as alcohol, cleaning supplies, toxic solutions, detergents, sharp knives and objects, plastic bags and cling film) to top, hard to reach cabinets.

Bathroom Safety:set the water heater to no hotter than 49C to avoid bath scalds, and never leave your baby unattended in their bath, not even for a minute (babies can drown in as little as an inch of water.) Never position your baby within reach of the faucet, and lay down an Anti-Slip Bath Mat to help prevent your child from slipping in the bath. Install a toilet lock and ensure any medicine or first aid kits is securely stored away in a Combination Lock Box.

Bedroom Safety:ensure your baby crib is current and meets all safety standards and use a cot divider or bed rail, depending on your child’s age. As soon as your baby is able to pull themselves up, move the mattress to its lowest position and remove all objects (includingtoys and bumper pads) that could be used to climb up or to get out of the crib. To reduce the risk of SIDS, remember to always place your baby on their back for sleep and naptime. Instead of downs or duvets, which can pose a safety hazard, choose a Grobag for warmth and comfort.

Of course not every home is the same, so for more babyproofing ideas that will work for your space check out our extensive selection, featuring the best and most trusted baby brands on the market, including BabyDan, Chicco, Clevamama, BabyLo and many more! Get all your Baby Safety essentials in one place: right here at InHealth.ie !