MY MEDALLION
Having a baby in your life is an exciting and memorable occasion that causes major changes to your lifestyle and your home. With little to no fear and an avid curiosity, babies and toddlers can be at risk of putting themselves in danger if the right safety precautions are not taken within your home. To assist you in easing your anxiety about keeping your child safe, here are 6 tips on how to baby proof your apartment.
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Purchase Baby Gates
As a new parent, one of your first purchases for baby proofing your apartment should be a baby gate. When installed in the the correct places, baby gates allow you to keep your child from getting into areas of your home, like the kitchen, that have hazardous materials, or dangerous appliances. A baby gate is a simple way to make certain areas inaccessible for small children, and make your apartment safe.
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Restrict Grabbing Access
A child’s curiosity and lack of fear can cause them to grab dangerous items, or open cupboard doors where hazardous materials may be stored. Restrict your child’s access to cupboards by using childproof latches on the handles, and prevent electrical dangers by using covers for any outlets that are within their reach. When you are unable to keep a full watch on them, place them in a playpen, or allow them to explore one cupboard that has child friendly items in it. Following these steps will prevent your child from accidentally injuring themselves, and will keep you from having to constantly be supervising them.
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Create Safe Play Areas
Small children do not need a lot of space to play in, but they do need a space that is free of potential dangers. If you are unable to closely supervise your child, create a safe play area somewhere in your apartment where you know there are no climbing risks like bookshelves, or hazards such as sharp objects. For fall protection on hard floors, place foam mats for protection, and if space allows, a gate around the area. Providing a safe play area for your child will eliminate the stress of the unknown dangers within your apartment, and allow you to complete other tasks.
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Store Hazardous Goods Out of Reach
The bright colours of labels on household cleaning items, the texture of laundry detergent pods, or the sound of pills rattling in a medicine bottle can be tempting for young children, causing them to grab them, and in some cases consume them. Avoid accidental poisoning within your apartment by storing hazardous items like cleaning supplies and medications in areas that are out of reach for children. If this is not an option, use a childproof locking system on the cupboard where you keep these items.
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Avoid Fall Hazards
At first glance, a tablecloth or table runner might not seem like a dangerous item to have in your apartment, but having linens that hang down far enough are a temptation for children to grab, and pull. If there are any breakable or sharp objects on the table, and your child pulls it, the items could fall, causing potential harm. To avoid the possibility of fall hazards, use linens that don’t drape over the table, like placemats, or shorter table runners. This will allow you to keep the charming decor on your table, without the hazard of falling items.
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Eliminate Sharp Edges
Sharp edges on coffee tables, counter tops, and cabinets can be a danger for small children, as they are at the right height to bump their heads. Eliminate the possibility of injury by installing a temporary table cover, or switch to an ottoman until your child is old enough. A soft, cushioned surface is less likely to injure your child, and will reduce the risk of serious injury.
Now that you have these tips on baby proofing your apartment, you can spend your time enjoying parenthood instead of worrying about your child. For more information on baby proofing your apartment, visit the Medallion Website Blog.
