Dear Mom and Dad... Once you became parents came the biggest challenges in your life.
Let me tell you that this is how things will always be from now on, at every stage of the child's growth.
Any period in his life will be of significant importance and the challenges will be diverse, but you will have to act in each case as a united and strong team.
Perhaps the most important first stage in the development of the baby occurs when the little one becomes more active and starts to move on his own (by crawling or jumping 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 whole house becomes material to explore.
He'll want to touch everything, or worse, taste anything his curious little hands can get his hands on.
And this is where the adventure begins: "Not there!", "Be careful!", "It's not allowed, don't touch!", "Only God protects my child sometimes!", and so on.
If, however, you don't want to run your child around the house all day, say "NO" constantly and keep calm knowing that he is safe, you can make some changes ahead of time.
To make it easier for you, I have 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.
Note, note, note...
1. Security in rooms and hallways
The first thing to take into account, the crib on which the baby sleeps 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 quality clamping system, if applicable.
Overcrowding the crib with pillows, plushies 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, cords or cords, and furniture that the child could climb on.
If you have a changing table , it should have three raised sides and rounded edges.
Around the age of six months, the baby begins to move more and more, rolling and playing on the floor frequently. From this moment it is good to stay as much as possible next to the little one and give him extra attention.
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.
As soon as the child can stand upright, it is necessary to move the crib mattress to the lowest position. You can't believe how he can instantly turn into a little gymnast and we want to prevent falling, right?
The sockets will also be a significant attraction, and the child may be tempted to insert fingers or various objects into the symmetrical and interesting holes. Install safety features on outlets , such as covers or locking devices.
Sometimes sharp corners are magnets for children! So it may be necessary to add removable soft protections on the corners of tables and furniture pieces , and if necessary even fix them with glue that won't damage the furniture when you remove them.
We know, your beloved space will not look exactly like in the decorating magazines, but think that it is for the good of your child and that it will only be for "a few years".
If you have windows with several opening positions, even better! But if you can't just fold them down, install stops that prevent the windows from opening more than 10 cm, and provide safety at all times.
Make sure that there are no cables in the house that are accessible to the child. Whether it's from the TV or other household appliances, exposed cables are dangerous , not only because they're electrical, but also because little ones tend to pull on them and throw heavy objects at them.
In addition to the fact that you must avoid that the little one opens certain drawers or doors where he can find dangerous objects for him, you must also take care that the fingers do not get caught when closing the doors . Thus you can block drawers, cupboards and even the lid of the toilet with safety strips and the doors from the inside with stops to prevent them from closing completely.
For some reason, small 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 favorite place will be the floor for a good chunk of time, place non-slip and soft carpets in all the rooms where the child spends more time. This is to avoid slips and absorb possible falls.
2. Safety in the kitchen
Although you spend a lot of time in the kitchen and at the same time you have to have the little one close, don't turn this space into a playground!
Keep the child away from electrical appliances , sharp or sharp objects , placing them at a safe distance or height.
You can give your child his favorite toys that keep him entertained so he 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 stove, oven, burner.
Children love to pull on the ends of the tablecloths and more than that, they use them as a handle to stand up. Think that, for them I am nothing but a help to rise, and they do not see what is above.
But they're in serious danger of trauma if a heavy object falls on them, or burns if a plate full of hot food falls on them, so they ditch the tablecloth for now .
3. Safety in the bathroom
During the bath keep all the things you need close at hand and never leave the child unattended or alone in the water , not even for a moment. Make sure you always have a hand to support him. If you didn't know it, babies can drown in just 2 inches of water.
Around 12-15 months of age, babies start to like playing with spinning objects like the faucet. So as soon as the child walks and can use for example the booster seat to open the taps by himself it would be good 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 previously mentioned, a very big danger is the risk of poisoning . It can be caused by substances kept 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 lockers with locks.
Especially pill-type drugs with attractive colors are very dangerous , because they can be mistaken for candy. You have to be very careful about these things and don't forget a blister pack of tablets on the sink, or for that matter anywhere in the house within reach of the little one.
The risk of slipping occurs especially in the bathroom where the surfaces can be wet, so put non-slip mats here as well, in the bathtub and on the floor .
4. Safety in the house in general
If there are stairs in the house, you should install safety fences on the landing on both sides, both going up and down. To make the safety last, use a lock, otherwise the child will be able to open it as he grows.
It also blocks access to the exit of 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 the baby! Also remove things like plastic bags – the child can suffocate if they bite or stick their head in them.
You can use a "small object tester", such as the toilet paper tube: things that fit in there are a suffocation risk and we can't have them near the baby.
As children get older you should be especially careful with small toys like Legos.
It also prevents access to other dangerous objects such as sharp or burnable objects, knives, scissors, nail clippers, or even batteries.
Curiosity is greater the smaller he is, and as long as the teeth grow, anything he grabs is welcome to be chewed. It is better to use a trash can with a lid or a pedal, difficult to lift, and even mesh protections for plant pots where curious hands could enter.
Be extra careful and also remove pet care accessories , such as dog and cat food bowls or litter boxes, so that the child cannot reach them easily.
Air out daily and ensure good ventilation of the house by avoiding exposure of the child to smoke or strong odors (for example paint, lacquers or cleaning solutions).
Maybe during the baby's sleep you take the opportunity to catch up on household chores or to prepare the meal. We recommend that you use a baby monitor system, especially if you have a large or multi-story house, to keep an eye on his every move, even when he's sleeping.
5. Preparation for emergencies
Complementary 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 birth of the little one. This way you will learn how to react quickly in case of a medical emergency. You will practice techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and see how to act in case of suffocation or what to do if the baby falls and gets hurt.
Make sure you have the emergency number handy - 112 - and that all family members know this number. In addition, you can make a list of the contacts of the family doctor, pediatrician, friends or relatives in case of utmost necessity.
Also keep a well-stocked first aid kit on hand , including dressings, disinfectant, thermometer, sterile compresses, and essential medications recommended by your pediatrician.
I think you are now feeling overwhelmed with 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, be 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.
In this way, you will be able to identify all potential dangers, and with simple and effective measures you will transform the home into a safe and friendly environment for your little one.
