

“One of the most important safety measures is to securely strap furniture to a wall to prevent it from falling forward,” says Harp. Anchor televisions and any piece of furniture over 30 inches high to the wall. Kids love to climb, but they won’t stop to do a risk assessment before they scale your bookshelf or dresser. “The best way to keep young children out of the bathroom is with an exterior lock on the door.” Reduce climbing risks “Believe it or not, the bathroom is the most dangerous room in a home,” says Harp. Also, ensure all locks and latches are correctly installed. Make sure you choose safety locks for drawers and cabinets that are strong enough to survive constant pulling and tugging from infants, Clint Harp, dad, author, craftsman and spokesperson for Safety 1st Highest Standard in Safety, tells SheKnows. More: The Best (AKA Easiest) Baby Carriers on the Market in 2018 “You won’t ever have to worry about finding your cell phone in the trash because your youngster wants to copy you ‘cleaning up.’” Get a lock on your garbage too, says Ganjian. While you’re at it, fit window locks or bars (kids can climb up on the couch to get access to the window), toilet seat locks (to prevent drowning but also to keep your toothbrush out of the toilet), oven locks and stove knob covers.

Lock everythingĪffix baby locks to all drawers containing knives or sharp objects, and child caps to electrical outlets (alternatively, go for pre-childproofed electrical outlets, which slide sideways to let you access the electricity). “Toddlers can pull them and cause cups and plates to come crashing down,” he tells SheKnows. Remove tablecloths, advises pediatrician S. “And don’t forget those laundry pods that look like candy!” Strip your table Store all medications, cleaning products and other potential poisons up high or behind a locked cabinet. From here, you’ll be able to see choking hazards (those random items that end up under the couch), fall hazards, burn risks and so on. “Get down on your belly or hands and knees or any other position that will allow you to see things from your baby’s perspective,” she tells SheKnows. According to Amber Kroeker, child injury-prevention program coordinator at a children’s hospital, the best place to start with babyproofing is on the floor - literally. More: 9 Baby-Proofing Steps You Never Even Thought of, but Are Totally Essential Get on the groundĮvery home is different, with different potential hazards.
