Baby Proofing 101: 5 Proofing Essentials You Should Know

A new baby comes with so many unknowns… but a safe household doesn’t need to be one of them! It’s important to be prepared and focus on the immediate dangers in all of the places your baby will spend time. Here’s a go-to guide of the 5 baby proofing essentials you might not think of for each of the most important rooms of the house.

How to Baby Proof the Nursery

Your baby will spend the majority of the day in the nursery, specifically in the crib. It’s also the only place you will leave your newborn unattended. While a JPMA certified crib is the safest place you can place your baby to sleep, it’s important to monitor the crib and the surrounding area for potential hazards. The most dangerous misconception when it comes to the crib is to fill it with comforting elements for your baby such as toys, blankets, bumpers and stuffed animals. The reality is that all of these items pose a suffocation hazard for a baby. The key to a safe nursery is a clean crib. This means a completely bare crib, with only a firm mattress and crib sheet, and all other furniture items in the room at least 3 feet away from the crib.

Bathroom Safety Tips for Newborns

There are several dangers to look out for with babies around water. A child can drown in as little as an inch of water, so it is imperative to never leave your baby unattended around a tub or sink. Additionally, to protect your child from burns you should set your hot water heater to below 120 F. While bath water should be around 100 F, lowering the temperature on the heater will ensure that your baby won’t get scalded by hot water.

Baby Proofing the Kitchen

Most parents are aware of the dangers associated with children getting close to the obvious kitchen dangers, like ovens, stoves and knives. However, the sometimes overlooked, yet equally threatening area to consider is the dishwasher. Dishwasher pods are easily mistaken for candy, and usually stored below the sink or easy to reach cabinets. Be sure to store dishwasher pods along with other cleaning supplies and chemicals in areas that are out of reach of your growing children.

Child Proofing the Living Room or Den

The living room area is typically where family and friends will gather to visit and play with your baby. Your baby will also enjoy exploring their play area as they begin to grow and learn. A serious hazard to look out for in this room is a TV that is not securely fastened to the wall. In a shocking statistic, TVs toppling over send a child to the ER every 30 minutes. The number of injuries continues to rise as flat screen TVs may actually be easier for children to pull down on. It is very important to make sure your TV is safely anchored to the wall, using straps, braces and mounts. It’s also recommended to keep remotes, toys and other enticing items away from the television itself, so kids aren’t encouraged to climb up to get them. Just remember - always tape the back shut on remotes, so the batteries are not accessible!

Ways to Baby Proof the Dining Room

With various dinner guests and changing table sizes, it’s easy to leave extra chairs pushed against walls and out of the way. However, chairs should never be positioned in front of, or within reach of, a window. There is a major risk that children could climb up on chairs or other furniture and access an open window.

A new baby can be scary, but preparing your home ahead of time can help you avoid some serious dangers that are often overlooked. It’s also important that the furniture you leave your child in unattended throughout the night is both safe and reliable. For a peek into how Delta Children tests their products and manufacturers safe and healthy furniture for your children, click here. You can rest easy knowing your child is safe.