With a newborn arriving, or an enthusiastic toddler at home, you need to make some routine changes and home improvements to ensure safety. Most changes come from common sense and experience during parenthood, but you can get ahead with these nine quick tips for a baby-proof home. 

1. Ensure Safe Nights

A crib has to be manufactured according to safety standards. However, you need to follow certain practices to make sure your newborn is sleeping safely. Plush toys, soft beddings, and bumpers must stay out of the crib to prevent suffocation. Position the crib with care; install it far from windows, lamps, cords, or any decoration.

2. Secure Furnishings

When a toddler is feeling adventurous, they can try to use a dresser or bookshelf to climb. A TV on a dresser can be a huge danger for your child. Secure all heavy furniture with straps to prevent them from tipping over, and use bumpers on sharp furniture edges within your child's reach.

3. Keep Electricity Away From Your Child

Securing electrical outlets is one of the essential must-do tips to baby-proof your home. With a toddler crawling around your living room, you need to replace your electric outlet covers with baby-proof ones. Avoid using individual plugin covers; your kid can take those off easily.

4. Keep Cords Out of Reach

Any dangling cords on your windows and appliances can become hazards. You can keep blind cords out of reach or tie them high. Also, it is better to unplug and store rarely-used appliances.

5. Protect the Windows

You can install child-proof screens or guards to ensure windows aren't a risk for your child's safety. If you have climbable furniture near a window, consider moving it.

6. Buy the Right Toys

If a toy fits in your child's mouth, it's not safe! Stuffed toys may seem lovely, but their small pieces can be dangerous for your kid. Always check for loose parts and disinfect toys frequently. You can use your dishwasher to sanitize plastic toys.

7. Keep the Bathroom Safe for Kids

To make your shower child-proof, install a temperature guard on your water heater, use anti-slip mats on the tub's bottom, and add a soft cover on the faucet and hard surfaces. As a general rule, your children must never be alone in a bathtub. 

8. Close the Doors

If you can't child-proof a room, it's better to keep the door closed. You can get doorknob covers to prevent your toddler from opening or closing a door accidentally. If your house has multiple stories, consider installing stair doors.

9. Store Safely

When your toddler starts moving around your home, the place where you store your household products and appliances becomes highly relevant. If you stock cleaning supplies at floor level, always keep them under lock and key. Lock doors on all cabinets and cupboards where you don't want your child poking around.Speaking about safety, we know how important it is to live in a disinfected and clean space—important for kids and grown-ups alike! However, parenthood can take most of your time. If you need help with your household chores, let CHRISTal Clean lend you a hand! We are professional cleaners serving the Mukwonago area. Get a free quote now!