How To Baby Proof Your Home

A Quick and Easy Guide.

Excitement, happiness, fear... these are the feelings that might overwhelm the soon-to-be parents, when they first receive the happy news. And then they start to wonder…

IS OUR HOME SAFE?

Household accidents are the leading cause of children injuries. You're right to be thinking about how to make your home a safer place for your child.

FORETHOUGHT + ACTION = SAFETY

Baby proofing can be done quickly and easily and will prevent lots of accidents. You don't even have to do it all at once. Do what's necessary to make your home a safer place for your newborn baby and adjust your baby proofing as your child grows and becomes more curious and more mobile.

Start from securing each part of your home and then head on to obtain all the necessary baby gear, clothing and footwear. You will feel much better knowing that your home is prepared for the arrival of your little one.

The Nursery

When preparing the nursery, you usually start from scratch. Any painting needs to be done in advance to allow toxic fumes to evaporate before the baby arrives. The sooner you do it, the better. Set up any furniture in advance too.

Don't forget to install carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms, not only in the nursery, but throughout the whole house.

Smiley face Smiley face

Smiley faceCrib

Even though used cribs might seem like a convenient solution, it's better to get a new one. Your baby will probably spend a lot of time sleeping in it, so you want to be sure it's safe.

Cribs with a drop-down side used to be popular, but they’re not used anymore because they proved to be dangerous on occasions. If you are getting a used crib, make sure it’s not one with the drop-down side.

Cribs have to be sturdy and not wobble when you try to shake them. The space between crib rails should not be wider than 2 inches to secure child safety. Corner posts should be less than 1/16 inch high, or higher than 16 inches if they support the canopy.

Bumper pads should fit around the entire crib and tie securely into place. They are to be used until the child can pull up to a standing position. Once your child can stand up, remove the bumper pads to prevent the child from using them to climb out of the crib.

View other items:

MATTRESS

BEDDING

CHANGING TABLE

CHANGING PADS

TOYS

Smiley face

Smiley face Mattress

Nearly all the mattresses are manufactured in a standard 52-by-27-inch size and most are 6 inches thick and typically come with a white or off-white cover.

The mattress should be firm and fit snugly into the crib – if you can place two fingers between the mattress and the crib side, the mattress is too small. The baby could roll into that gap and the bedding can escape and pose a threat, too.

You should be able to adjust the height of the mattress. As the baby grows older and can sit or stand up in the crib, the mattress has to be lowered to prevent the child from accidentally falling out of the crib.

View other items:

CRIB

BEDDING   

CHANGING TABLE   

CHANGING PADS

TOYS

Smiley face

Smiley faceBedding

Bedding should be lightweight and the proper size. Fitted sheets are a great choice because they're not likely to come out and cause accidents. Using adult size bedding is not recommended.

Using lightweight bedding helps keep the baby warm enough during the night without making them overheat. Many parents think the nursery should be kept warmer, but this is not the case. Ideal temperatures are 60 - 70F/15 - 18°C through the night.

The best placement for the crib is away from windows, blinds and blind cords, any electrical appliances and cables and sources of warmth and direct light. Also, if possible, install window guards and use cordless window coverings as an additional safety measure.

Soft covers, bumper pads, toys, pillows of any kind and shape, as well as anything else that might obstruct baby's airways should be removed from the crib in order to create a safe environment for your child. The only item found in the crib while your baby is sleeping should be the bedding and nothing more.

View other items:

CRIB   

MATTRESS   

CHANGING TABLE   

CHANGING PADS   

TOYS

Smiley face

Smiley faceChanging Table

Changing tables are elevated platforms with shelves or drawers where you can store diapers, ointments, wipes and other necessities. Not only do they offer great storage space, but they are also great for parents who have back problems and can't really spend much time slouched over the bed or kneeling next to it when changing the baby's diaper.

Changing tables can be dangerous if you don’t pay attention. Since they are elevated, a child can roll and fall off of them. The majority of changing tables have a belt, a concave surface and elevated sides that should prevent such falls. However, nothing can replace a parent’s supervision. The trick is to keep one hand on your baby the whole time when changing a diaper to prevent the baby from rolling.

Having to hold one hand on the baby the whole time means that you have to prepare everything you need to change the diaper in advance. Everything should be at your arm's reach, but not the baby's. They love putting things in their mouth and baby powder isn't exactly the healthiest thing to consume.

Changing pads are padded, cushioned, and portable mats, and can be easily placed almost anywhere – on the bed, on the floor, even on a table. If you place them on the floor, even if your baby rolls, nothing bad will happen. If you place the mat on a table or a dresser, changing tables’ safety rules apply here as well – keep one hand on the baby at all times.

When it comes to security, consider a stand-alone changing table that is more stable than other tray-like models you attach to the dressers. Also, keep in mind that changing tables typically don’t last for more than a couple of years.

View other items:

CRIB   

MATTRESS   

BEDDING   

CHANGING PADS   

TOYS

Smiley face

Smiley faceChanging Pad

Changing pads are padded, cushioned and portable mats and can be easily placed almost anywhere – on the bed, on the floor, even on a table. If you place them on the floor, even if your baby rolls, nothing bad will happen. If you place the mat on a table or a dresser, changing tables’ safety rules apply here as well – keep one hand on the baby at all times.

The advantage of changing pads isn't only security, but also their longer life span and the fact that you can use them wherever you want and not only in the nursery. However, using portable mats also means having to carry diapers, wipes, ointments and other similar items by yourself. Some parents solve this problem by placing these necessities strategically around the house.

View other items:

CRIB   

MATTRESS   

BEDDING   

CHANGING TABLE   

TOYS

Smiley face

Smiley faceToys

Sure, they are all cute and fluffy and your child's eyes beg you to give them that stuffed bunny over there by the dresser. However, before granting the wish, make sure all toys are safe for your child to play with.

First, examine the toys. Use toys appropriate for your baby's age and physical skills. Also, make sure all toy parts are securely put together and that toys are in overall good condition.

Be careful with toys that have small, removable parts, as they pose a danger for children under the age of 3. You can use a small parts tester to measure the size of the toy and determine whether it is safe for your child to play with. Toys should also not have buttons, eyes, beads and ribbons, or have sharp edges that could harm your child.

When it comes to storing toys use chests without lids. If your chest does have a lid, make sure it has a spring-loaded mechanical arm that prevents the lid from falling. That way, your children will be safe from the lid slamming onto their little fingers.

View other items:

CRIB   

MATTRESS   

BEDDING   

CHANGING PADS  

CHANGING TABLE   

The Living Room

The living room is where the family spends most of the time in a day. For the little explorers, it’s a jungle with many things to be discovered.

For starters, their little fingers can be pinched when opening the door. Safety gates are an excellent way of avoiding such mishaps. There are different kinds that require different levels of redecoration in your home. Between rooms on the same floor standard gates are sufficient. Using safety gates for the stairs will be covered in a separate section.

Smiley face Smiley face

Smiley faceFurniture

Climbing on the furniture can be a great adventure, but can also easily end up in a disaster. Anchoring the furniture, moving heavy decorative items closer to the wall or taking them away completely, placing lamps behind the furniture – all these actions help keep your child safe and secure.

Securing heavy, unstable and tall freestanding furniture, such as dressers, armoires and bookcases, is your first step. You can use special furniture straps to secure and prevent them from tipping onto your child. Also, kids like climbing on furniture. Move everything away from your windows to prevent your child from using furniture to climb up and having access to the windows.

Kids are full of energy and they have to spend that energy somehow. Running around is fun, but coming to a stop instantly is not easy. This is how head bumps, scratches and crying usually happen. Corner bumps and edge softeners are a great solution to keep your child safe.

Make sure you take all dangerous objects away from the child's reach. This can include items that are easily breakable (such as lamps, vases, ceramics), or sharp objects which are especially dangerous when placed in a high traffic area such as the living room. Keep them on a high shelf, or remove them altogether.

If your child finally got tired from running, it’s a good time to switch to calmer activities. Trying to open the drawers where you store CDs or doors on the furniture is not that tiring and offers plenty of fun. Well, it’s fun for the baby, but not the parent who has to deal with the mess afterward. Drawer latches prevent children from opening drawers and making a mess, or even worse, pinching their fingers in the process.

View other items:

TECHNOLOGY   

ELECTRICITY   

FLOOR   

FIREPLACE   

Smiley face

Smiley faceTechnology

Modern TVs being are big and thin, which makes them easy to tip over. TV straps that are drilled into the wall are a great way to keep the TV in place. This way, your child will not be able to pull the TV down on themselves when trying to stand up or climb somewhere.

Also, be prepared for a lot of button pushing on your video and gaming equipment, as kids are particularly fond of that activity. Installing clear plastic shields prevents your child from pushing buttons, or putting toys into your DVD player or console.

View other items:

FURNITURE   

ELECTRICITY   

FLOOR   

FIREPLACE   

Smiley face

Smiley face ELECTRICITY

Electricity is one of the biggest threats in every home. It’s becoming more of a problem as the time goes by – you didn’t have so many cables 20 years ago, for sure. Now, there are cell phone chargers, computer and laptop cables and other electrical appliances everywhere.

Securing the cables is not easy, but it is a necessity in order to keep your child safe. Cables can be taped to the floor or the wall, they can be wrapped and stored safely, but they shouldn’t be forgotten when you’re doing the baby proofing. Make sure to secure the area around the computer and entertainment centers by using cord control knits.

Electrical outlet covers are old news by now and there are plenty of ways to child proof the outlets. Plastic plugs used to be popular, but they’re losing their popularity, as they require you to always remember to put them back after you’ve used the outlet. They’re still a good choice for those outlets that are not used too often.

Covers and plates are a better solution and there are plenty of designs to choose from. Some designs, for example, have a three-button switch and you can’t remove them unless you press all three buttons at the same time. The child’s tiny hands can hardly do that, so you can feel calmer.

Don’t forget to check for other exposed outlets behind the furniture that you may have overlooked.

View other items:

FURNITURE   

TECHNOLOGY   

FLOOR   

FIREPLACE   

Smiley face

Smiley faceFloor

You’re almost done with baby proofing the living room, but there are still a few more things to do. Living room floors are usually wooden or covered with rugs. Either way, you have to keep the floor clean, especially when the baby is still crawling. Washing the floors can do more harm than good if you don’t do it right. Breathing in chemicals can trigger asthma and allergies, so you can see why this is important. Using mild or natural solutions to keep the floor clean keeps the baby safe.

When the baby starts walking and running, rugs become your enemies. Putting non-slip mats under the rugs helps you fight off the falls and bumps.

Also, remember to check the floor constantly for mall objects that the baby might swallow, such as buttons, coins, or beads.

View other items:

FURNITURE   

TECHNOLOGY   

ELECTRICITY   

FIREPLACE   

Smiley face

Smiley faceFireplace

Lots of homes have fireplaces. Fireplace hearths can be quite dangerous and if you are actively using your fireplace, make sure to keep a fireplace grill in place when a fire is burning. Keep stow logs, matches and fireplace tools stored in a secured place that your child can't access.

If you’re only using the fireplace for decorative purposes, you can fill it up with books, toys, or even cover it with a chalkboard painted panel.

To prevent bumps, you can use bumper guards, quilts, or, if you don’t care about the aesthetics, pool noodles. Some parents even use bubble wrap and tape it down.

View other items:

FURNITURE   

TECHNOLOGY   

ELECTRICITY   

FLOOR   

The Kitchen

Installing safety gates to prevent children from entering the kitchen is necessary. However, some houses feature open plan kitchens and there are no safety gates that are big enough to block off access to the kitchen, which is important especially during cooking or baking. In such cases, you have to know how to baby proof your kitchen in advance.

Smiley face

Smiley face Stove and Oven

The most important thing to remember is never to hold the baby in your arms while you’re cooking as he or she can grab the food or a sharp object and end up getting hurt. Yes, it seems like common sense, but when parents are in a hurry and stressed, it’s easy to forget something as simple as this.

Using back burners when cooking and turning the pan handles inwards prevents burns and scalds. Children are curious and want to see what is up there on the stove. This way, they won’t be able to reach anything that is up there.

Knob covers or locks on the stove are also important – if the child can reach them and start the burners, injuries are inevitable. Ovens are another cause of burns. Putting latches on the oven doors not only prevents burns, but also doesn’t allow children to open the oven door when the oven is not working, or climbing on top of them – which is a sure way to accidents.

View other items:

FRIDGE  

APPLIANCES  

UTENSILS   

TABLE&CHAIRS  

CLEANING AGENTS  

PLASTIC BAGS   

GARBAGE  

Smiley face

Smiley faceFridge

Just like the stove and oven, the fridge can also be dangerous. Kids love exploring and discovering new tasty things. A fridge might seem a great place to start. Sometimes the food that looks yummy won’t be healthy for the toddler, so locking the fridge door is a good idea.

There is one other danger hiding when it comes to fridges – magnets We love putting memos, cards and other interesting and cool stuff on the fridge using magnets, but if those magnets fall down or the child gets to them, they become a hazard, so the best practice is to remove them in advance.

View other items:

STOVE&OVEN  

APPLIANCES  

UTENSILS   

TABLE&CHAIRS  

CLEANING AGENTS  

PLASTIC BAGS   

GARBAGE  

Smiley face

Smiley face Appliances

Securing the stove, oven and fridge is just a start. Other electrical appliances in your kitchen, such as a dishwasher or a microwave, need to be secured as well by using guards, latches and straps.

Small appliances, such as toasters and can openers, should be placed far back on the kitchen counter, so the child can't reach them. When doing so, make sure all cords are secured as well and not dangling over the edge. Also, consider unplugging the appliances when not in use.

View other items:

STOVE&OVEN  

FRIDGE  

UTENSILS   

TABLE&CHAIRS  

CLEANING AGENTS  

PLASTIC BAGS   

GARBAGE  

Smiley face

Smiley faceUtensils

Usually, when you’re baby proofing, you remove all dangerous items to a higher shelf so the baby can’t reach them. Moving cutlery and knives to a higher position isn’t such a good idea because you could hurt yourself trying to reach for it. Installing latches on the kitchen drawers keeps both you and the baby safe. Treat peelers, graters and other sharp utensils the same as knives.

Also, make sure all drawers have stops, so that your child can't pull the drawer out on top of themselves.

When putting forks and knives in the dishwasher, be sure to place them with the handles up and sharp points down, in order to prevent any possible injuries.

View other items:

STOVE&OVEN  

FRIDGE  

APPLIANCES  

TABLE&CHAIRS  

CLEANING AGENTS  

PLASTIC BAGS   

GARBAGE  

Smiley face

Smiley faceTable and Chairs

Make sure your table and chairs are placed away from counters or stove so your child can't climb up and then take a tumble. Also, think about not using a tablecloth for some time, as kids love playing with it and will certainly find a way to pull it down along with a plate of hot food on themselves.

View other items:

STOVE&OVEN  

FRIDGE  

APPLIANCES  

UTENSILS   

CLEANING AGENTS  

PLASTIC BAGS   

GARBAGE  

Smiley face

Smiley faceCleaning Agents

Dirt and cleanliness are often interchanged in the kitchen. We all know that cleaning products consist of dangerous chemicals and can be quite poisonous when ingested, so move them to a higher shelf. Locking the door of the cleaning products’ storage place isn’t enough – children can often find their way around it and try to drink the poisonous liquids.

If you absolutely have to keep them under the sink, use a childproof lock on cabinet doors to prevent child's access.

View other items:

STOVE&OVEN  

FRIDGE  

APPLIANCES  

UTENSILS   

TABLE&CHAIRS  

PLASTIC BAGS   

GARBAGE  

Smiley face

Smiley faceGarbage

The same goes for the garbage – there is a reason why nobody likes the garbage. It smells, it’s dirty and it’s meant for disposal. Children don’t know that yet, though. Find a safe place for the garbage, somewhere where your child won’t have access to it. Also, don’t forget to put a lid on your trash can. It’s easy to get cut on the food containers sticking out the trash can and get sick in the process.

View other items:

STOVE&OVEN  

FRIDGE  

APPLIANCES  

UTENSILS   

TABLE&CHAIRS  

CLEANING AGENTS  

PLASTIC BAGS   

Smiley face

Smiley facePlastic Bags

Kitchen and groceries go hand in hand. Even though everyone knows how dangerous plastic bags are, they’re still widely used. If you can’t avoid plastic bags, there’s a cool way to store them safely without losing much space. There are numerous tutorials online that explain how to fold plastic bags into little triangles, in order to store them so they won’t take up too much space.

View other items:

STOVE&OVEN  

FRIDGE  

APPLIANCES  

UTENSILS   

TABLE&CHAIRS  

CLEANING AGENTS  

GARBAGE  

Bathroom

Never allow your child in the bathroom without supervision. Install a hook-and-eye lock high on the door or place a child proof cover over doorknob to prevent your child from entering the bathroom when no one is around.

It’s easy to keep the baby away from the bathroom when he or she is just crawling. However, you should make your bathroom safer even before your child starts walking.

Smiley face Smiley face

Smiley faceBathtub

The biggest threat in the bathroom is the water. Whether you had a bath, or you used water in the bucket to clean something, making sure no water is left is an easy step towards preventing accidents.

Another way to prevent kids' water-related accidents is placing non-slip mats iin the tub and in front of it. This way, there are less chances of a child slipping and falling, either into the water, or simply bumping themselves on hard surfaces.

Besides the water splashing around, hot water is also a possible threat. Spout coverson the faucets help you protect the child from hot water gusts. Spout covers are great for the time when the child starts having baths in the adult tub, too. Not only do they block hot water, but also act as softeners, so when the child bumps their head, it’s not as painful as it would have been if nothing protective was placed on the faucet.

An even better way to prevent scalds is setting the water heater to no more than 120F/48°C. This temperature is hot enough to allow you to have a hot shower, but it’s still not too hot to cause the scalds if the child accidentally reaches hot water.

View other items:

TOILET   

APPLIANCES&UTENSILS   

APPLIANCES AND UTENSILS   

Smiley face

Toilet

Install toilet latches on all toilets to make sure the toilet bowl stays closed and safe. Children are curious by nature and easily lose balance, which can be dangerous. With them peering into the toilet, an accident is just waiting to happen.

Latches keep the lid from slamming on your child's hands. They also minimize the risk of the child touching the inside of the toilet bowl and then putting that hand into their mouth. You know that no matter how hard you clean, there will always be bacteria in there.

View other items:

BATHTUB   

APPLIANCES&UTENSILS   

APPLIANCES AND UTENSILS   

Smiley face

Smiley face Appliances and Utensils

Drying the hair can be fun – we all love the feel of a warm breeze on our skin. However, when combined with the bathroom conditions, it’s an accident waiting to happen. Make sure nothing is plugged in near the sink or the bathtub. Electricity plus water is never a good combination, so store electrical appliances safely in the bathroom.

Also, when done using, unplug your blow-dryer, curling iron and other appliances that create heat and put them away to prevent your child from touching them and getting burned.

Keep all sharp objects that could endanger your child out of reach. Razors, scissors, nail clippers, tweezers and similar items should be kept in a locked cabinet or on a high shelf, so kids can't find them easily.

View other items:

BATHTUB   

TOILET   

APPLIANCES AND UTENSILS   

Smiley face

Smiley face Medicines and Cleaning Supplies

The bathroom is usually full of medicine, toiletries, cosmetics and cleaning supplies. Medicine and cleaning supplies should be stored in containers with safety caps and placed in a locked cabinet, or on a high shelf. Everything should be out of child's reach.

Clothes softeners are usually available in tasty-looking pastel colors and they can look (and smell) delicious to a child. Baby proofing is more about prevention than anything else and storing cleaning products safely does just that.

View other items:

BATHTUB   

TOILET   

APPLIANCES&UTENSILS   

Around the House

Windows, doors and stairways can be found in every area of your home and we hardly think about them at all.

Well, there is a new occupant in your house and he or she is very curious and extremely prone to accidents so you must take the necessary precautions to ensure maximum safety at all times.

Smiley face Smiley face

Smiley faceWindows

Windows can be particularly alluring to kids as they absolutely need to know everything that goes on outside. To make sure your child never has access to an open window, install window guards or adjust the windows so they can't open more than 6 inches. Also, move furniture away from windows, so your child will not have anything to climb onto.

Cords from window blinds can be quite tricky as well. Remember not to place your child's crib, bed or a high chair near cords at any time. You should keep them out of child's reach by tying them up to blinds or removing them altogether so your child doesn't get tangled up in them. There is even a cordless window covering you can install that is perfectly safe for your child.

View other items:

DOORS   

STAIRS   

BASEMENT/GARAGE   

Smiley face

Smiley faceDoors

You want to secure your doors to keep your children from cruising freely around your house and ending up in a dangerous zone, like on a balcony or near a swimming pool. To do so, you need to lock your doors or install the doorknob covers on the doors you don't want your child to open.

Also, to protect your child's fingers from getting accidentally pinched, use doorstops and door holders. If you already have rubber-tipped doorstops installed, remove and replace them with soft doorjambs, as they are safer for children.

Children are the little explorers and love running around the house. As you already might know, this practice, combined with sling-glass doors in your home, can lead to a disaster. Consider putting decals on your doors so your child won't run into them. Also, it would be a good idea to install safety glass, so even if your child falls into the glass doors, they won't shatter and hurt them.

View other items:

WINDOWS   

STAIRS   

BASEMENT/GARAGE   

Smiley face

Smiley faceStairs

Depending on the design of your home, you might have stairs in your house. Although you may not find them very threatening, they can in fact be very dangerous and should not be taken lightly when it comes to baby proofing. Here is what you can do to make your stairs safer.

Installing handrails is necessary when the baby is still very young. When you carry your child in your hands, it’s easy to trip or slip on the stairs. Handrails can give you support and make using the stairs while carrying your baby safer. Imagine what can happen if you don’t have support – you’ll either drop your baby when you instinctively reach out, or you will fall down together with the baby. Either way, it’s not something you would want to happen.

In case you have wooden stairs, avoid climbing them in your socks – it’s like asking for trouble, as you can slip very easily. You should install carpet runners to ensure safety. Also, make sure the stairs are always clear and free of obstacles. You don't want shoes, toys or other objects there, as you could easily trip over them while carrying your child.

When the child becomes more mobile, safety gates are necessary. The ones that you install at the top of the stairs should be very sturdy to stop the baby from tumbling down if he or she is running around and crashes into them. The ones at the bottom don’t need to be as sturdy, but should still be firm enough to prevent the child from opening them, going up the stairs and then falling down by accident. Make sure you place the safety gate bar latch on the side that is facing away from your child and their reach.

View other items:

WINDOWS   

DOORS   

BASEMENT/GARAGE   

Smiley face

Smiley faceBasement and Garage

Children should have restricted access to the basement at all times. Not only could they slip on the stairs and hurt themselves, but they could also be exposed to electricity, wiring and other dangers lurking there. Basement and garage are often used for storage and they contain tools and chemicals that are dangerous for your child. You certainly don't want them around unplugged power tools, paint, cleaning supplies or gardening tools.

Also, inspect your garage doors to see if they work properly. Make sure their openers automatically reverse direction upon contact with an object to ensure your child doesn't get trapped. Keep automatic garage door openers away from a child's reach.

View other items:

WINDOWS   

DOORS   

STAIRS   

Pets and Plants

You probably didn't even think of this, but there are other occupants in your home that can affect your baby.

Your pets, as well as your green friends, can pose a danger if not promptly prepared for the arrival of your little one.

Smiley face Smiley face

Smiley faceBasic Guidelines

Your child can be safe around your pets. It’s up to you, really. If you start training your pets early on, they will welcome a new addition to your family and pose no threat to your child. However, keep in mind that no matter how trustworthy your pets might be, they still need to be supervised when around your child.

When your baby arrives at your house, make sure you introduce your pets gently to a new baby. Pets often feel jealous because of the lack of attention from their owners, so make sure you don't neglect them when your child arrives.

Also, you should keep all pet food out of the child's reach. Children often find it interesting to touch the food and put it in their mouth. Not only it is not healthy for your child, but it can also put them in a dangerous situation as animals are known to be protective of their food and can react aggressively.

View other items:

DOGS   

CATS   

PLANTS   

Smiley face

Smiley faceDogs

You might think training a dog is easy, but you have to start doing it on time and see if it works. If you can't train the dog yourself, you should seek professional help.

Before you introduce the baby to your dog, bring a piece of the child's clothes that has their scent on it, so the dog could be introduced to the baby in a safe way. Remember – the sense of smell is a primary sense for dogs.

When your child is old enough to understand, teach them to respect the dog and not bother him. Smaller children like to explore and they will probably want to pull the dog’s tail and touch the dog inside the ear lobes or between the paws. Although your dog might not react aggressively at first, i.e. he may not bite or push your child away, that doesn’t mean he won’t snap after a while. Therefore, teach your child early on that the pet doesn’t like being played with in that way and make sure to stop the child from such behavior to avoid making your pet feel anxious.

Alternatively, teach your dog to go away from the one who's bothering him – in this case, your child. Train the dog to go to his safe place, a place within the house where he won’t be bothered if he’s feeling stressed.

Also, don't start ignoring your pet once the baby arrives, as this might cause the dog to start showing undesired behavior.

View other items:

BASIC INFO   

Cats   

PLANTS   

Smiley face

Smiley face CATS

Cat lovers know even cats can be trained not to do certain things. Cats love cozy places to sleep in and they'll probably try to claim the crib for themselves. You should start training your cat not to do so even before the baby comes. Putting small pieces of adhesive tape with the sticky side up inside the crib will prevent cats from coming into the crib. This type of training has to be done before the baby is born, of course.

Your baby will undoubtedly want to play with their furry friend at some point. To ensure safe play, protect your child from accidentally being scratched by providing your cat with a scratching post and by trimming their nails on a regular basis.

There are other dangers of having a cat in your home. Cat feces, for example, can contain a certain parasite that causes a condition called toxoplasmosis, which is especially dangerous for women during pregnancy. However, mostly cats that go outdoors are at risk, as they often consume infected rodents, birds, or other small animals, which leads to the parasite getting passed in the cat's feces. Cats that are kept indoors and fed adequate food, such as cat commercial dry or canned food and not raw meat, are at a low risk of being infected with toxoplasmosis and therefore, are not putting your family’s health in danger.

Stay safe by keeping your cat indoors at all times. Also, keep the litter box clean, wash hands thoroughly after being exposed to your cat’s feces and keep all surfaces where the cat goes clean. The best thing you can do is consult a veterinarian and the pediatrician who can offer you expert advice on how to deal with this problem.

View other items:

BASIC INFO   

DOGS   

PLANTS   

Smiley face

Smiley facePlants

One other thing – plants. Plants are a great decorative item and they can significantly improve the air quality in your home. They’re mostly kept in the living areas, but can be found in other rooms as well. Now that you are a proud parent, you need to reexamine some of your green friends.

Naturally, you worry that some plants could be poisonous for your child. The good news is that most houseplants are safe, but there are a few that you don't want near your child. Look into your houseplants and find out if they are poisonous. Get rid of them if necessary.

Also, even if your plants are perfectly safe, there are still a couple of steps you need to take in order to completely protect your child. Remove all plants from the floor. You know how tasty the soil can look to a little child and the fertilizer found there is quite harmful. Make sure there are no small rocks in your pots as they present a danger to your child as well. Consider covering all of your pots with mesh or plastic to ensure maximum safety.

View other items:

BASIC INFO   

DOGS   

CATS   

Final Note

Statistics always show a large number of accidents happening at home, but those numbers are drawn from a large data pool and over a long period of time. Still, you want to make sure you do everything you can in order to prevent your child from ever becoming a part of the negative side of that statistic.

You can baby proof your house room-by-room, but the one thing you can’t really control in terms of safety are the guests you are bound to have in your home at some point. They don’t intend to harm your baby, but might do so inadvertently. An elderly aunt’s purse could look like a treasure chest for a baby – containing lots of medicine, little scissors, lighters, cigarettes, coins and who knows what else. So, remember to stay alert and keep an eye on your child around guests to prevent any possible mishaps.

When you go visit someone, you can’t expect everyone to baby proof their home just because you occasionally visit them with your child. Because of this, it’s important to teach your children what no means, as well as the practice of not touching other people’s things. This is not only a great step towards your child’s safety, but also an important part of parenting.

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS.

As much as you would like to, you cannot create an environment that is 100% safe for your child. Baby proofing can help you eliminate many of the dangers that can harm your child, but it will only be effective when combined with close supervision.

That's it for your house.
Onward to baby gear

Contact Team Froddo

Feel free to email us to provide some feedback, ask questions, or to just say hello!

marketing@ivancica.hr