In association with ICAP
Did you know that most accidents involving young children occur within their own home? This week is child safety week so we are looking at how to effectively baby proof your home to keep your little one safe.
If you’re pregnant or a parent of a tiny baby it won’t be long before your baby is on the move. They’ll be crawling, cruising, climbing and walking. They’ll be reaching, grabbing, putting things in their mouth and exploring as much of the world around them as they possibly can!
It’s an exciting time when your baby starts moving so in order to enjoy it without having to worry it’s a good idea to baby proof your home well before your little one is on the move to make sure you can keep them safe.
What is baby proofing?
Did you know that most accidents to children under 5 years of age occur in the home?
Baby proofing is what we parents can do to minimise the risk to our children in our homes. We want our children to be able to learn and explore but we need to make sure they can do this as safely as possible.
When you should you think about baby proofing?
You should think about possible hazards to your baby well before they are able to move. At Daisy First Aid we recommend getting down to your little ones level and crawling around the rooms in your home to see what dangers are in reach. You might feel a little silly doing this but it’s the best way to spot those potential hazards.
Room by room
Have a think about the different rooms in your home and what potential hazards are in them. Here is our room-by-room guide for what you may need to look out for. You can download load our FREE baby proofing checklist here.
Kitchen
Cupboard door locks (especially for that cupboard under the sink)
Oven guard
Lounge
Cover sharp corners of coffee table
Blind/curtain cords out of reach
Fireguard on fireplace
Place tall lamps behind furniture
Bathroom
Keep medications out of reach
Cleaning products out of reach
Store nappy bags out of reach
Hallway/stairs
Install stair gates
Bedroom
Keep hair dryer and straightener unplugged and well out of reach
Secure furniture to walls
General
Move any small objects that could be a choking hazard
Put door stoppers on doors
Store spare batteries out of reach
Make sure windows are locked – particularly on upper floors
Ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are present and have batteries
Move toxic plants out of reach
Ensure loose cables are out of reach
Block access to radiators and hot pipes
Fence of pool or pond
Do a Daisy First Aid class!
And remember
A cup of tea can seriously burn a child 15 minutes after it’s been made.
Always keep out of reach.
Check the bath water before putting baby in – run the cold tap first then add the hot water.
Cut round or disc-shaped food (such as grapes and sausages) in half lengthways before giving to young children.
Never leave a child unattended while they’re eating or while they’re in the bath.
At Daisy First Aid we teach fun and fear-free first aid classes for parents and carers all over the UK from just £25pp. To find your lovely local Daisy trainer click here.