Congratulations, you have a tiny bundle of joy on the way! You’ve prepared mentally and emotionally for this moment as much as possible — and now it’s time to prepare your home. Starting to baby proof your home can seem like a daunting task, so we’ve broken it down into just a few easy steps here.
Consider overall safety
First, consider your home’s overall safety. If there are general safety features you’ve been ignoring, now is the time to correct those, even if it’s just for your peace of mind. Some of these general safety features include the following.
Smoke detector: check the batteries in the ones you have, and ensure detectors are properly placed throughout your home.
Carbon monoxide detector: check the batteries or install new ones where necessary.
Check fire extinguisher: ensure you have a fire extinguisher near the kitchen, that it hasn’t expired and that all household members know how to use it.
First aid kit: make sure this is fully stocked and that all members of the household know where it is located
Emergency numbers: have a list of emergency numbers easily accessible.
Secure hazardous materials: store paint and other hazardous substances in airtight containers on high shelves in a cool, dry area
Sanitize
Cleanliness is vital for ensuring your baby’s physical safety, especially as a newborn. Give your house a deep clean to keep germs and bacteria away from your baby. Deep clean everything. Wash all linens as much as possible. Remember that your new baby has a fresh immune system and should be away from as many germs as possible. Even dust can be harmful to your baby’s brand new lungs.
After deep cleaning, make a plan for maintaining a high level of cleanliness for after your baby arrives.
Place sanitization wipes throughout the house
Enlist family members to help in cleaning
Regularly wipe down
Doorknobs
Light switches
Faucet handles
Stove knobs
Countertops
Have masks on hand for visiting friends/family members with colds
Remind everyone who comes in contact with the new baby to wash their hands
Prepare for mobility
It will be months before your new baby can crawl and even longer before they can walk, but you’ll still want to have a plan in place to baby proof for that inevitability. Preparing for mobility is the final step of the baby proofing process, and one that can be done later, but you can certainly get a head start. Go through your house room by room and consider everything from a baby’s point of view. Here are some areas you should consider.
Look for sharp edges and place rubber bumpers
Latch drawers, doors and cupboards that are within a baby’s reach
Install covers on electrical outlets for exploring fingers
Check for poisonous plants that are within a baby’s reach
Install safety gates at the head and foot of stairs or at entrances to rooms they shouldn’t explore
Cover electrical outlets with plastic caps
Secure electrical cords out of reach or behind covers
Adjusting to a new baby will require a bit of shift in mindset from your usual mindset and processes. But a mere adjustment can help you baby proof your home in no time.