Dear mom and dad... Once you became parents, the biggest challenges in your lives also appeared.
Let me tell you that this is how things will always be from now on, at every stage of raising a child.
Any period in his life will have significant importance and the challenges will be diverse, but you will need to act in each case as a united and strong team.
Perhaps the first and most important stage in a baby's development occurs when the little one becomes increasingly active and begins to move on his own (crawling or hopping like a frog, it doesn't matter, as long as he moves towards new "targets").
Because when the baby learns to crawl or walk, the entire house becomes material to explore.
He will want to touch everything, or, even worse, taste anything that falls into his curious little hands.
And this is where the adventure begins: "Not there!", "Be very careful!", "No, don't touch!", "Only God protects my child sometimes!", and so on.
If you still don't want to run your child around the house all day, constantly say "NO" and stay calm knowing that he or she is safe, you can make a few changes in advance.
To make it easier for you, I've made a list of possible dangers in each room and ideas for how you can make every corner of the house a safer place for your little one.
Write it down, write it down, write it down...
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1. Safety in rooms and hallways
The first thing to consider is that the crib the baby sleeps in must meet a series of safety conditions: have a maximum of 4 centimeters between the bars if it is classic, made of wood, a protection system against accidental closing in the case of foldable models, and edges without bows, with a quality fastening system, if applicable.
Overcrowding the crib with pillows, stuffed animals, and blankets is a common mistake made by many new parents. Keep the sleeping space clear to prevent the risk of suffocation.
Place the crib in a safe area, away from windows, radiators, lamps, ropes or cords, and furniture that the child could climb on.
If you have a changing table , it would be good if it had three raised sides and rounded edges.
Around six months of age, your baby will start to move more, roll over, and play on the floor more frequently. From this point on, it's a good idea to stay close to your little one as much as possible and pay extra attention to them.
Lie on the floor to see things from his point of view, notice pieces of furniture with heavy objects on them and think about where to move them.
A little later, he will start to grab onto furniture to get up, so you may need to anchor some of the furniture to the walls with safety straps.
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As soon as your baby can sit upright, you need to move the crib mattress to its lowest position. You can't believe how he can instantly transform into a little gymnast and we want to prevent him from falling, right?
Sockets will also be a significant attraction, and the child may be tempted to stick fingers or various objects into the symmetrical and interesting holes. Install safety features on sockets , such as covers or lockable devices.
Sometimes sharp corners are magnets for children! So it may be necessary to add removable soft protectors to the corners of tables and furniture , and if necessary, even secure them with glue that won't damage the furniture when you remove them.
We know, your beloved space won't look exactly like the decorating magazines, but think about it, it's for your child's good and it will only be for "a few years."
If you have windows with multiple opening positions, all the better! But if you can't just tilt them, install stops that prevent the windows from opening more than 10 cm, and provide safety at all times.
Make sure there are no cables in the house that are accessible to children. Whether they are from the TV or other household appliances, exposed cables are dangerous , not only because they are electrical, but also because little ones tend to pull on them and throw heavy objects at them.
In addition to preventing your little one from opening certain drawers or doors where they might find dangerous objects , you should also make sure that little fingers don't get caught when closing doors . This way, you can block drawers, cabinets, and even the toilet lid with safety strips, and interior doors with stops that prevent them from closing completely.
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For some reason, young children like to put things around their necks, so it is extremely important not to leave cords hanging within their reach, such as curtain cords, or even scarves, belts, shoelaces.
Last but not least, if the floor will be their favorite place for a good chunk of time, place soft, non-slip rugs in all the rooms where the child spends the most time. This will prevent slips and cushion any potential falls.
2.Kitchen safety
Although you spend a lot of time in the kitchen and at the same time need to have your little one close by, don't turn this space into a playground!
Keep your child away from household appliances , sharp or cutting objects , by placing them at a safe distance or height.
You can give your child their favorite toys that keep them entertained so they can spend time in a classic playpen or on a play blanket, safe from hot oil splashes or unexpected spills.
In addition to the protections placed on the corners of the table, you can also attach barriers or protective grills to the hob, oven, and burner.
Children love to pull on the ends of tablecloths and, more than that, they use them as handles to get up. Think about it, for them they are nothing more than a help to get up, and they can't see what's above.
But they are in serious danger of suffering trauma if a heavy object falls on them or of getting burned if a plate full of hot food falls on them, so for now, ditch the tablecloth .
3. Bathroom safety
During bath time, keep everything you need close at hand and never leave your baby unattended or alone in the water , not even for a moment. Make sure you always have a hand to support them. If you didn't know, babies can drown in just 5 cm of water.
Around the age of 12-15 months, children start to like playing with objects that spin, such as the tap. So as soon as the child can walk and can, for example, use the riser to turn on the taps by himself, it would be a good idea to adjust the general temperature of the tap water to a maximum of 40º to prevent burns.
The bathroom is a "huge" area where anything can happen. In addition to the above, a very big danger is the risk of poisoning . This can be caused by substances stored in the bathroom , such as household chemicals, cleaning products, cosmetics or medicines. The best option is to store such substances out of sight, high up, in cabinets with locks.
Especially pills with attractive colors are very dangerous because they can be mistaken for candy. You have to be very careful with these things and don't forget a blister pack of tablets on the sink, or anywhere else in the house within reach of your little one.
The risk of slipping occurs especially in the bathroom where surfaces can be wet, so place non-slip mats here too, in the bathtub and on the floor .
4. Home safety in general
If there are stairs in your home, you should install safety fences on both sides of the landing, both when going up and down. For long-term safety, use a lock, otherwise your child will be able to open it as they grow.
It also blocks access to the exit from the home and to potentially dangerous places such as the garage, basement, gym, even the garden.
Small objects such as coins, buttons or toy parts are a choking hazard . Keep them out of reach of your baby! Also remove things like plastic bags – your baby can choke if they bite or get their head stuck in them.
You can use a "small object tester", such as a toilet paper tube: things that fit there pose a choking hazard and we can't have them near the baby.
As children grow you should be especially careful with small toys like Lego.
Prevent access to other dangerous objects such as sharp or burning objects, knives, scissors, nail clippers, or even batteries.
Curiosity is greater the younger he is, and as long as his teeth are growing, anything he can grab is welcome to chew on. It's better to use a trash can with a lid or pedal, which is difficult to lift, and even mesh protection for plant pots where curious little hands could get in.
Be very careful and also remove pet care accessories , such as dog and cat food bowls or litter boxes, so that the child cannot easily reach them.
Air out the house daily and ensure good ventilation, avoiding exposing the child to smoke or strong odors (for example, paint, varnish or cleaning solutions).
Maybe you take advantage of your baby's nap time to catch up on household chores or prepare dinner. We recommend using a baby camera system, especially if you have a large or multi-story home, to monitor your baby's every move, even when they're sleeping.
5.Emergency preparedness
In addition to the safety measures taken and the use of various gadgets, when it comes to the safety and integrity of the child, you must also be prepared from other points of view.
It is recommended that both parents take a first aid course even before the baby is born. This will teach you how to react quickly in the event of a medical emergency. You will practice techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and you will learn how to act in case of choking or what to do if the baby falls and gets hurt.
Make sure you have the emergency number – 112 – handy and that all family members know this number. In addition, you can make a contact list of your family doctor, pediatrician, friends or relatives in case of extreme need.
Also keep a well-equipped first aid kit handy , including dressings, disinfectant, thermometer, sterile compresses, and essential medications recommended by your pediatrician.
I'm sure you're feeling overwhelmed by all these necessary safety measures to implement in your home.
Securing may indeed seem like a complex process, but it is absolutely necessary to provide safety for your child.
So what are you waiting for?
Take each room in turn, get inspired by the tips above, and don't forget to always put yourself in the "shoes" of a curious child who is learning to discover the world around him at every step.
This way you will be able to identify all potential dangers, and with simple and effective measures you will transform your home into a safe and friendly environment for your little one.
