Essential Items to Create a Safe Space for Toddlers

Toddlers are natural explorers, and your home is a vast discovery zone to them. This is a positive development since toddlers learn by exploring their surroundings and attempting new things. Keeping your curious child safe while they learn and explore becomes difficult.

Even if you’re right there, your child could still get injured. Here’s how to keep your child safe when you can’t watch them closely for a few seconds or have to hurry to the restroom.

Tips to Give Your Toddler a Safe Place to Live

Tips to give your toddler a safe place to live

When you bring your baby home from the hospital, it’s difficult to think that this little, milk-obsessed infant will soon be crawling (or perhaps running) around your house, wreaking havoc. However, in a few short months, as unbelievable as it may sound, you will need to consider baby-proofing your home and building a safe play area for them to crawl and wiggle to their hearts’ delight.

Here are some top tips for creating a secure environment for toddlers:

Address the most important issues first

If you have been putting off large undertakings, now is the time to undertake them. Replace the broken window, fix the leaking hot water heater (it should be set below 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the baby from taking a scalding bath), and inspect the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. If your home was constructed prior to 1978, it is also vital to inspect the interior windowsills, door frames, and other locations for lead paint.

Evaluate the kitchen

Danger for the baby to pinch the hand of the cabinet door or chest of drawers. Protect children from home furniture, kids safety

Investing in new childproof cabinet locks is prudent. Consider magnetic locks that may be put on the interior of cabinets and offer the same safety measures and adult-friendly access. Also consider stove knob coverings to prevent your standing infant from turning on the burners.

Examine the living area

Check the cleaning codes and search for upholstery that is made of a high-performance, every day-use material that is durable and easy to clean. Look for childproof covers on any electrical outlets or GFIs near the ground, and if you have blinds or shades on your windows, make sure they are cordless, as cords have been designated a strangulation hazard.

Setting up the baby’s room

Avoid hanging objects immediately over the crib and changing table that the infant can grab and pull. However much you may desire a nursery with a gallery wall behind the crib, it is not the safest option. Consider painting a feature wall, applying wallpaper, or even applying a wall decal. These are wonderful since they are immovable and still add an attractive accent.

Check the restroom and laundry room

Since here is where you keep your meds and cleaning supplies, it requires further babyproofing. Common home goods such as laundry pods, hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, and beautiful soaps may be enticing to young toddlers, but if consumed, they are hazardous. Keep all pharmaceuticals (both prescription and non-prescription) out of the reach of children. Child-safe packaging is advantageous, however toddlers are intelligent and may be capable of opening child-resistant pill bottles.

Create a safe space for infants to play during household duties

It could be dangerous if infants crawl around on the floor while their parents prepare dinner. You need something that will keep your youngster occupied, happy, and safe while you prepare dinner; these toys suit the bill. This one contains all the features that newborns enjoy, including lights, sounds, and music, and is height-adjustable so that it will grow with them.

Do not use a tablecloth; instead, use placemats

This may be an unorthodox babyproofing product, but it is essential. Choose those that are attractive, simple to clean, and made of vinyl that does not slide around.

Essential Infant Safety Equipment

Waiting at the Saftey Gate

  1. Baby gate – The baby gate aids in providing independence within boundaries. A youngster may explore the remainder of the house, but he must be monitored. In other rooms, including our living room, he has his own area with shelves and toys, although these areas require attention. A baby gate enables the child to plainly communicate with you vocally, as opposed to locking the door, and you may be able to glance into the room without disturbing the child.
  2. Cover electrical outlets – Depending on the country in which you reside, you should consider covering all electrical outlets in the room. Even if the toddler is unable to reach the cord, electrical appliances might be hazardous. If you cannot cover the outlet or if it is not recommended (like as in the United Kingdom), you should try blocking them off. We have placed furniture in front of our electrical sockets to make them inaccessible. Covering wall outlets prevents curious fingers and small items from entering them.
  3. Child sized furniture – Utilize child-sized furniture and/or tie furniture to the wall. It is essential that the youngster cannot climb on or topple over tall furniture, nor become stuck behind or under it. Not only is kid-sized furniture safe, but it also shows the child that the environment is for them and they can use it! It helps the youngster feel capable and develop new abilities, such as acceptable climbing techniques (like in and out of a floor bed).
  4. Install carbon monoxide monitors – Install carbon monoxide monitors in close proximity to sleeping areas: Be warned that carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas that can be fatal. It can be released when heating and cooking appliances malfunction. Carbon monoxide detectors should be examined monthly. Consider purchasing a smoke alarm/carbon monoxide detector combination. It is a necessity that no dwelling should be without.
  5. Window Stops – Install window stops to prevent windows from opening further than 4 inches. Additionally, windows should be opened from the top.
  6. Finger guards – Prevent your child’s fingertips from being crushed by closing doors.
  7. Bed rail – When your child progresses to a “big kid” bed, a bed rail prevents unintentional falls.
  8. First-aid kit – Contains all the necessary supplies for treating minor injuries and illnesses.
  9. Drawer and cabinet locks – Securely block access to household risks.
  10. Net for fence or balcony – Prevents your child from climbing through hazardous spaces
  11. Cord shortener – Holds out of reach tangled window cords
  12. Toilet lock – Prevents toddler drowning by keeping them out of the toilet.
  13. Corner protectors – Cushions sharp furniture edges that can injure a child.
  14. Safety straps and brackets – Secure large appliances and furniture, such as televisions and dressers, so they cannot fall on your child.1
  15. Non-slip bath mat – Prevents dangerous slips and falls in the tub
  16. Padded faucet guard – Protects against tub bumps

To summarize

These are the necessities for baby-proofing your home. You will no longer be required to maintain a continual watch on your beloved. Now they are free to roam the house while remaining protected. You can make these locations safer, but the most crucial safety measure is constant supervision of small children. Even if your home is childproofed, infants and toddlers can tumble, run to a hot stove, or put the incorrect object in their mouths in an instant. Your vigilance is your child’s greatest defense.