Babyproofing 101

So, your baby is moving and shaking now! Babies in motion can be hard to handle. I know, you carried them for 9 months, feed them, clothe them, watch them poop on everything and this is the thanks they give you! I know the feeling all too well. Believe it or not, this is only the being of an amazing process. Before you know it, your little one will be off to prom and then to college, and then you’ll be asking yourself where the time went. For the moment, though, let’s focus on the present—crawling comes before getting a driver’s license. And now that your baby is ready to roam and explore on her hands and knees, the time has come to babyproof the house. So, let’s get into it! 

We all believe our home is the safest on the planet until something happens. So how can we prevent accidents from happening to our little ones—especially the dangers we don’t see?

First things first:

Get on Baby’s level.

You’d be surprised what you can see when you experience a little tummy time. The first time I got the floor with my little one, I immediately saw all the sharp edges and the shiny things I keep on my entertainment center. From that perspective, it started to make sense why the baby always crawled over to it and used the openings to pull himself up so he could reach those appealing objects to pull down. To lower my blood pressure, I removed all the shiny glass and pointy objects from the entertainment center, made sure the furniture piece was anchored and gave my valuables a new place to live. Seeing the world on all fours can help you understand your child’s perspective and also give you peace of mind.

Start in areas where your kid spends the most time.

It’s easy to go out and buy bulletproof glass, shields and fireproof blankets to build an impregnable fortress with, but does that guarantee your baby’s safety? Maybe not so much. Instead, think about where your child spends the most time. Going all out on the most expensive trinkets isn’t necessary, but you can eliminate lurking dangers in a focused area. Living rooms take precedence in most households. Make sure your child can’t pull down things that could pin him underneath. Make sure heavy glass, small items and things with sharp edges are far out of his reach, too.   

Proof as the child grows.

You’ll be amazed at how quickly your child grows. You’ll be even more shocked at how quickly she learns how to open gates, pull things down from tall places and climb out of enclosures. My kid likes to climb out of the crib and touch electric sockets. I’m not quite sure whether that’s a mark of genius or a cause for concern, but I’ve taken precautions. I’ve found it helpful to cushion the outer perimeter of the crib and bought plastic covers that are hard for children to remove from sockets. It cost me a few pillows from my bed and, I believe, around 10 bucks for the plastic covers. Buy what you need, improvise creatively and remember before you spend hundreds of dollars on babyproofing gadgets that tots will outsmart them and outgrow them. Curious little ones learn daily, which means you’ll have to work to stay a step ahead of them.

Always ask for help!

Assistance is key! What most first-time parents make the mistake of doing is thinking they can do it all. That’s just not true. Although some are really good at balancing a baby with the regular stuff of life, everyone does not have that gift—and even the very best can learn a thing or two. We all need a little help, and you’d be surprised at how many friends, family and colleagues are willing to jump at the opportunity when a little cutie pie is involved. It takes a village to raise a child, and you’ll need a village and your family plus two more. Make use of that network when the network is together because babies require a constant watchful eye. Family barbecues, for instance, are a great example of when you may be able to call for some safety supervision backup. If you’re hosting or even just participating, you can easily find someone to step in and watch your little explorer until you are back in the room. My favorite excuse is the bathroom. It’s an easy out for a quick break, and someone is always willing to watch the baby for the few minutes of solitude you need. My only cautions is to assign someone specific and trustworthy before you walk away.  

Be smart when it comes to hot and clean.

I don’t know about the children in your life, but the ones in mine are obsessed with things that plug into the wall. And with colorful cleaners—particularly in the kitchen and the bathroom. To children, chemicals scream, “Juice!” The colorful packaging is dangerously appealing. My advice to you: Lock it up. I like to keep my cleaners in a bin that snaps shut because the lids are a bit harder for kids to open, and I lock up the bins somewhere safe, usually in the bathroom under the sink. When I use my curlers or anything hot, I try to stay in one place and I make sure the children can’t reach.  One trick that I use when cooling my curlers down or even using them when kids are close in range is setting the hot coil inside the bowl of the sink and the cord on the counter. The house doesn’t burn down, and no one gets hurt.

If all else fails, create a checklist. You know what works best for your kids and for your home. Grow with the proofing and with your child.

Jessica Samuel lives in Kansas City and is a freelance writer and photographer.

As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.