Childproofing is a western concept of parenting, but it has gained momentum in India in the past few years. Nevertheless, it is quite important for the safety of the child and peace of mind for the parents.
Once the baby starts crawling or moving around, s/he is prone to injuries and accidents and you should childproof your home before this phase begins. Here are some handy tips to take this forward.
Furniture
- Cover the corners of furniture with soft and cushioned edge protectors or guards.
- Move all furniture closer to the walls so that the child has enough space to move around safely.
- Put child safety locks on cupboards, cabinets and drawers across the house so that the child don’t get their fingers or hands stuck while trying to open them.
- Do not keep rickety table, chairs or furniture in the house.
- Do not keep any kind of cloth on the tables or else the child will try to catch hold of it and pull it down along with other items.
Stairs/Balconies/Doors
- Install a safety gate at all the points from where the child is likely to fall or enter into a risk zone.
- Install a safety door at the main entrance of the home.
- Install door stoppers at all the doors of the house.
- Keep balconies and doors closed as much as possible.
Windows
- Keep the windows closed or install a safety grill so that the child doesn’t try to climb out of it.
- Install finger pinch window and door guards to prevent finger pinch injuries.
Bathrooms/Dry Balconies/Wet Areas
- Put anti-slip mats in places where there are chances of slippages due to water.
- Secure the toilet seat with a lid lock.
- Keep the cabinets holding the cleaning supplies or medicines locked.
Electrical Appliances and Outlets
- Keep all electrical appliances out of the reach of the child.
- Keep the electrical appliances unplugged when not in use.
- Use chord holders to keep the loose chords organized.
- Cover all electrical sockets with baby proof covers.
Kitchen
- Keep flammable objects away from stove and gas burners.
- Keep glass, ceramic and other breakable objects on higher shelves and out of child’s reach.
- Use appliance latches wherever possible.
Please note that this checklist is inclusive but not comprehensive. No amount of childproofing can replace adult supervision. So, keep a close eye on your child to mitigate the risks of injuries or accidents to the maximum extent.
Where can I find or buy all these stuff?
Amazon