Baby Proof Your Home

For growing babies and toddlers, figuring out the world is their full-time job. That includes exploring every accessible inch of their environment. As a mortgage lender, Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc. (PRMI) has shared in the joys of watching our customers’ families grow, and we’ve had many conversations about keeping new homes safe for curious cruisers. Here are some of our top baby-proofing tips for your home.

Keep Baby’s Home Base Safe

You’ve probably thought through every detail of the nursery a thousand times, but have you viewed it through the lens of safety? Some of those super cute baby items could be dangerous. Mobiles that hang over the crib can present an entaglement danger and shouldn’t be there. Anything else that’s within arms reach of the crib should be removed as well. That includes wall art and objects such as baby wipes, supplies, small toys, lamps and cords.

KEEP OUT!

There are several “keep-out” securing jobs that you need to do as babies begin to move around the house on their own.

• First and foremost, cover the outlets. Those tiny holes in the wall are just tempting toddlers to see what goes inside them.
• Exploring the inside of the cabinets can be an incredibly good time when they discover the pots and pans, but it's downright dangerous when they find cleaning supplies.
• Place baby gates at the top and bottom of stairways. Crawling babies go head first everywhere. Not the best way for little ones to find their way down.

Secure The Living Space

Babies who are learning to stand will use anything they can reach to help pull themselves up. Keep new walkers safe by doing the following:

• Secure dressers, bookshelves and TVs to the wall with mounts.
• Move floor lamps behind sturdy furniture, such as a sofa.
• Remove tablecloths and runners from tables.
• Replace window coverings that have looped cords.

Prevent Random Accidents

Curiosity can uncover danger in the most unexpected places. Other tasks you’ll want to address include installing stove knob covers to prevent tiny hands from turning on burners, making sure your garbage cans have locakable covers and unplugging or storing appliances such as hairdryers, irons and toasters out of reach when not in use.

Track Silent Dangers

While most of us have smoke detectors, the dangers of carbon monoxide are not as widely understood. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be poinsonous if it accumulates due to a leaky venting system. Children are affected more quickly than adults because they take breaths more frequently and are smaller.

Keep everyone safe by installing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors near bedrooms and on each story of your house. Change their batteries when your change your clocks in the spring and fall so you’ll know they are freshly charged.

Make a Safe, Happy Home

All the exploring babies and toddlers do is wonderful for their developing bodies and minds, but the constant curiosity that drives it can have a dangerous down side, and tiny fingers can get into big trouble. A safe home is a happy home. If you have any questions regarding your baby’s safety, check with an expert such as your peditrician.

The information contain in this blog does not constitute professional advice and is for informational purposes only. The reader accepts full responsibility of the use of the information contained herein.