They crawl. They pull. They throw. And, they hurt themselves.
They crawl. They pull. They throw. And, they hurt themselves. And keeping a constant watch on them is just not possible. If you have a baby that's six months old, or a toddler that's around two, you know what we mean.
It is a pleasure to see them crawl and stand up on their own, however unknowingly this is the stage when they are most prone to the danger of hurting themselves, especially in the safety of their home. They are inquisitive and begin to explore everything around them by touching, feeling and tasting. That's why making your home hazard-free is crucial.
The smartest thing to do is to baby proof your home. Here are some points to help you make a secure home environment for your baby:
Get down to the baby's level
If you want to take stock of what can harm your baby, you have to come down to his/her level. By crawling and lying on the floor you will be able to gauge the potential dangers and correct them. Loose wires, open electric circuits, free sliding draws and doors, sharp edges and corners. Bathroom and kitchen safety become a major concern.
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In your living room
>u00a0Be sure that your mats, rugs, carpets and other floor coverings are secure to avoid slipping hazards.
>u00a0Repair loose tiles and fraying carpets.
>u00a0Tie up all the electrical wires and stack them, if possible in a place where babies can't reach and tug on them, pull objects and chew.
>u00a0Cover the plug points with protective covers.
>u00a0Check the furniture for its sturdiness; repair any wobbly furniture.
>u00a0Stock and store all little harmful items in drawers out of the baby's reach. Things like coins, rings, buttons and other small things pose choking hazards.
>u00a0Keep pets' toys out of reach. Not only are they a danger to choking, but also hazardous to health. Dog's saliva is full of germs and so your baby should be kept away from such spots where the dog usually sits.
>u00a0Keep small items off the floor pet food and their dishes, shoes, etc.
>u00a0Avoid storing toys near the television. When tugging these toys, your baby may accidentally cause the TV to fall.
In your kitchen
>u00a0Keep all cabinet doors and drawers closed. Install locking mechanisms so that your baby cannot open them.
>u00a0Products like cleaning supplies must be stored in a cabinet that's out of your child's reach.
>u00a0Things like plastic food storage containers, pots and pans, etc, may be stored in the lower cabinets.
>u00a0Make sure that your oven, washing machine and other appliance doors are firmly shut always.
>u00a0Remove or move up the refrigerator magnets to keep them out of reach. Also get a locking system on your refrigerator door too.
In your bathroom
>u00a0Never leave your little one in the bathroom on his/her own. Babies can drown in just a few inches of water.
>u00a0Check the water with your elbow before putting your baby into it to bathe. The recommended temperature is 100 degrees.
>u00a0Keep all shampoos, soaps and razors off the bathtub ledge. Make shelves high up in the walls.
>u00a0Also, ensure that bathroom and latrine doors are closed 24x7.
Around your home
>u00a0Use child safety gates at the top and bottom of all staircases. Install them correctly.
>u00a0Drapery and blind cords can pose a strangulation threat, as babies can get tangled in them. Tie them up without fail.
>u00a0Vacuum regularly to pick up any loose items off the floor.
A research in the markets today reveal that baby-proofing products include doorstoppers, drawer stoppers, edge rounders, electrical sockets, cupboard clips, night light and non-slip mats.
So here's your chance to provide your little one a safe environment where s/he can explore and have fun without you worrying or hovering nearby.
The writer is a paediatrician at Cheers Child Care (CCC). CCC has developed a baby-proofing concept that includes a structured product and an organised service.
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