January 16, 2012 - Having a baby is an exciting, – and nerve-wracking – experience. You want to make sure that your little angel is protected at all times. Here are some strategies to help you keep your home safe and sound.
• Make sure your electrical outlets are covered. There are many kinds of outlet covers from ones that just stick into each outlet to outlet wall plates which have a mechanism that slides back – choose the one that is right for you.
• Confirm that you have reliable smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test batteries regularly.
• Use doorknob covers on doors to non-childproofed areas (like the bathrooms and laundry room). Round doorknob covers are easy to find, there are specialized designs to cover the lever style. Baby gates are also an effective solution for keeping kids in or out of a room.
• Those little coil door stops with the white plastic stopper are a serious choking hazard. Replace them with a safer one-piece version or a rubber bumper at knob level instead. Those little white plastic stoppers seem innocuous but often seen in the pediatric emergency rooms.
• Don’t use toys or pillows in the crib, especially with young babies - your baby could suffocate. Crib bumper pads are also questionable and, though not proven, have been suggested to have a connection with suffocation and SIDS Never use an electric blanket for a child (could cause a fire).
• Never leave a child unattended in the bathtub. Drowning can occur in seconds, and mere inches of water pose a risk.
• Faucet covers help avoid burns and decrease the chance of your child knocking their head on the faucet. Make sure your bathtub has a non-skid mat or pads to avoid slips. Remove all soap, hair products and shaving items from tub edges and ledges. Some shampoos - like dandruff specialty shampoos - are toxic. You can use a baby tub inside the bathtub - one with a baby sling is helpful with infants.
• Consider a toilet seat lock so your child can’t stick their head in there, or better yet, throw things in there. Plumber visits to snake the drain don’t come cheap.
• Lock up all medications, alcoholic beverages, chemicals and cleaning products. Make sure matches and lighters are out of reach. Use cabinet locks to secure these items.
• Make sure electrical appliances are stored away from counter edges and water sources. Roll up any cords and wires. Check to see that Ground Fault Interrupters (GFIs) are installed near all sinks and tub.
• Make sure cords for blinds are not tied together at the bottom (this is a strangulation hazard). Many shades and blinds have been recalled due to the strangulation hazard posed by the cord, check yours.
• Use a fridge lock. Consider oven locks and stove knob covers in the kitchen. Remove any fridge magnets small enough to be swallowed. Magnets in the digestive system can be extremely dangerous.
• Cover the fireplace with a secure screen, the glass of gas fireplaces can get extremely hot, make sure that children can’t get close enough to suffer severe burns.
• If you have a swimming pool, make sure that it is protected by a fence or secure cover that effectively keeps kids out.
• Make sure knives and sharp items are in an area where kids can’t access them.
• Check toys for broken parts/bits that are chocking hazard or sharp. Keep small toys for older children (like figurines, game board pieces, and small building blocks) away from your baby. Occasionally check recall lists for toys and baby gear as even the most reputable company often finds a flaw that could pose a safety risk to your child.
Stores like Toronto’s Kiddie Proofers (www.kiddieproofers.com) and even retailers like Sears and BabiesR’Us (www.babiesrus.com) sell a variety of childproofing products. There are also companies like www.babyproofers.ca that will come to your home find solutions to your specific needs. Do your research and shop around to find the best approach for your wee ones.