Simple Methods to Baby-proof your Home

Simple methods to baby-proof your home is an important part of baby care; care and safety should be introduced especially in garages, sheds and kitchens which are not only places of excitement for the toddler with grown-up things, but also hiding places. Baby proofing your home protects your toddler from trouble and danger.

Here are a few methods to baby-proof your home:

The mass storage facility in the garage/shed should be organized as it could be a dangerous place for children that venture into it; this is especially true of toddlers and young children who should be prevented from any trips, cuts and or a trip to A&E.

It is common to have shelves and racks in garages/sheds as storage space for everyday household paints, plant posts, tools, tools, and brushes; it   could pose a danger that climb on it. Make sure that this mass storage capacity is well secured by checking for tight nuts and bolts and using weighted anchors to hold systems in place; it acts as an anti-trip and also reduces movement.

Hide items of interest to young children and reduce their temptation; ensure that the storage is full to deter toddlers from climbing. It would help to ensure the first few shelves are fully packed with boxes to deter toddlers from climbing.

Most children are born explorers and love exploring electrical equipment like lawnmowers, drills and ban-saws; acknowledge the danger they can bring in the hands of a child. Electrical equipments should be stored away when not in use and parents should warn their young children of the potential dangers of touching/using them.

Big electric equipments should be stored in the original packaging and smaller ones should be stored in plastic storage boxes; big equipments whose box is heavily damaged or damp could be stored in corners or out of harm by cordoning off or covering large items to deter exploration.

Protect your child from serious damage while handling sharp instruments like rakes, spades, scissors, sheers, chainsaws, and hedge trimmers by storing them safely in the shed/garage. Keep them in locked tool boxes on the floor out of reach of children; the sharp edges and blades should be covered and stored in a cupboard or shelf. Safety involves hiding sharp objects and educating school going children of the potential dangers of handling them unsafely.

Ensure additional safety and experience a peace of mind with a self-install lock or alarm that a young child cannot reach or play around with; it is also a good idea to install sensor alarms that are triggered by recognizable movement.

Your shed/garage could often have a wide variety of flammable products like gas bottles for a barbeque, firelighters, matches, lighters and material that can easily catch fire like paper, wood and bottled liquids. Keep gas products in a cool and dry place out of reach of children, preferably at the back of the shed/garage where children will find it difficult to find.

It is unsafe to leave highly dangerous liquids like turpentine, herbicide, kitchen and car cleaners everywhere in the shed/garage; they could blind, damage or even kill a child if consumed or misused. Keep them lower to the ground to ensure that they are not dropped or spilled while being picked by any family member.

Keep your shed/garage clean and clutter-free to reduce the existence of more dangerous/poisonous animals or plants; regular cleaning and checking would ensure that habituating animals are removed. Protect your toddler and young children from bites and allergies by getting a pest control solution from a pest control store.  

It is highly recommended that you use a mesh pet net if you have a pet; it would discourage your pet from jumping into a pram or cot. A smaller mesh net could be used on an outdoor pram in summer to protect babies from insects.  

Some other sources of hazard to children are heat and power. Protect your toddler/young children from them.

• Install a fireguard on the fire itself or on either side of the fireplace; they are available in various sizes and styles for open log fires, electric and gas units.

• Install electrical lead guards; they are enclosed tubes to secure trailing leads to the wall or to bundle trailing cords neatly together.

• Fix up cooker and hob guards; they are extendible and fit across the hob to prevent young children/toddlers from reaching and pulling saucepans down.

• Install temperature warning stickers that change color in a variable heat appliance to indicate to an older child to not touch when too hot.

• Install socket guards that either fit into the socket or the entire socket unit and plugs and prevent children from poking things in; they are very useful in children rooms and could double up for a night light.

Lastly accidents are unavoidable; however teach your children all about the potential dangers and consequences of their actions. Curb the curiosity of children by showing and telling them everything. 

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