While bringing a new baby home can be an exciting time, it can also cause parents a great deal of worry. Before you welcome a new family member into your household, it’s important that you take all the necessary precautions to create a secure environment for them to grow in.
While the odd bump and bruise is a natural part of childhood, most of these accidents are avoidable if the right safety measures are taken. To help ensure you have covered all the potential risks, there is a wealth of information available online offering advice on how you can effectively child-proof your home. If you want to take your knowledge to the next level and learn about first aid practices, companies like Phoenix Health and Safety offer a variety of health and safety training courses.
To help you get started on identifying hazards around the home, take a look at these top tips:
Trips and falls
Once your baby starts crawling, you’ll need to take extra precautions to keep them safe. To ensure that your child doesn’t suffer any serious injuries, it’s a good idea to fix safety guards to the top and bottom of the stairs and ensure that they are clear of any clutter that may cause them to trip. Loose wires are also an accident waiting to happen, so try to conceal all cables behind furniture or keep them neatly tucked away.
Cuts and bumps
Babies love to grab and pull on anything they can get their hands on. Prams, highchairs and cots should always be positioned at a safe distance from freestanding objects that could easily topple over, such as lamps or ornaments. As your tiny tot begins to find their feet, you will need to start thinking about securing furniture they may be tempted to climb, such as bookcases and drawers. To soften the impact of a collision, you may also want to think about fixing cushioned corner protectors and bumpers to sharp furniture edges.
Burns
Burns and scalds are one of the most common accidents associated with young children. Remember that a child’s skin is a lot thinner than an adult’s, so it’s vital that you protect your youngster from nasty scalds. If your home has a fireplace, you should always use an approved safety guard. Where guards cannot be used with electrical heaters and radiators, be extra careful to keep your baby at a safe distance at all times.
Dangerous items
While it’s important not to stifle your child’s natural curiosity, remember that their ability to perceive their environment has not yet fully developed, making it your job to minimise the dangers.
Toddlers often like to put objects in their mouth, so be extra careful not to leave small items lying around that may cause them to choke. Cleaning products, matches, lighters, medicines and other dangerous items should be kept in a locked cupboard out of reach of curious hands. You may also want to consider fixing child-locks on drawers that contain sharp utensils, such as knives, scissors and stationery.
Final considerations
While you may feel as though you have thoroughly baby-proofed your house, you still need to be alert to the less obvious dangers. Toddlers can easily become entangled in long cords or ties from curtains and blinds, so make sure that they are carefully tucked away. Any worn or damaged areas of the house should also be updated or repaired to prevent injuries, including loose areas of carpet, frazzled wires and splintered wood. And, when putting your baby to sleep, it is crucial that you use a light blanket and flat pillow to prevent suffocation.
Remember that baby-proofing is an ongoing process. Your safety precautions will need to be modified as your little one grows. However, while safety devices can effectively reduce the chance of accidents and injuries from occurring around the home, be careful not to be lured into a false sense of security. Supervising your child and helping them to grow and explore their surroundings is one of the best ways to ensure their safety.
