10 guidelines for baby safety at home

Understand the dangers inside your home and deal with them beforehand. Initially, the imminent dangers might not seem apparent to an adult but take a deeper look into things and you’ll see why. However, there are many more issues you can identify and mitigate their risks. Here are some practical guidelines to help you protect your child from potential dangers in and around your home.

1. Baby furniture and equipment

A baby less than a year old typically sleeps for 12 to 14 hours in a day. For this reason, it’s of vital importance the nursery is safe, comfortable and secure.

The couch, chair, waterbed or cushion doesn’t come close to the recommended bassinet or crib.

According to these guys, the couch, chair, waterbed or cushion doesn’t come close to the recommended bassinet, stroller or crib. You can see baby gadget lab for more detailed info. 

Cribs are designed to ensure your child is cocooned in safety, restricting their movement to only sleep on their back as recommended. A child inside a bassinet has no chance of hurting themselves or falling out of it. In addition, they lack blankets, pillows or bumpers, all of which can be a choking hazard.

2. Electrical safety

Once your baby starts to crawl, it can be challenging to keep them in check at all times. Considering this, you should then cover, lock, or block off all exposed electrical outlets. Be firm and consistent when educating your child not to play around with sockets.

Don’t give a child the chance to stick something into sockets and risk electrocution. Take stock of your electrical landscape, products, and cords. Crawling inside a room gives you an even better perspective like a small inquisitive child. With this gait, you will also get an intimate mapping of electrical appliances and the risk they pose.

3. Poison safety for kids

Babies are wanderers naturally and like to investigate things using their mouths. This presents a glaring problem since not everything is meant to taste, drink, eats, smell or even touch. Therefore, keep poisonous household items like medication which can be harmful to your kid safely in cabinets, out of their reach. Take stock of plants in your house as well since some can be poisonous to your kid.

4. Choking and suffocation safety

Suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation can lead to sudden infant death syndrome(SID). These accidents typically appear to children less than a year old and that’s why bassinets come highly recommended. A bassinet ensures the newborn is supine, meaning they’re lying facing up. In addition, babies should sleep in their own beds and not with their guardians.

Complete CPR lessons and learn first aid. Always be present when your child is eating and choose age-appropriate toys for them. Don’t leave small objects lying around the house, which the baby might accidentally ingest.

5. Protect your child around water

Babies are at high risk of drowning, even in liquid as little as 1 inch deep. Their skin is also thinner compared to an adult’s, so they are more susceptible to scalding from hot water. Never leave the child unattended while bathing or using a potty near toilets. Keep all bathroom doors locked when not in use. Always supervise your kids when they’re near pools or natural water bodies.

6. Risks from falling

Every year, many children fall and injure themselves. This is a common occurrence as the child learns to walk, climb, and run. Most of the accidents are preventable like a biker wearing a helmet and other safety gear. Knowing this, you’ll rarely head to the emergency room because of playground bumps and bruises.

You can start by ensuring the child’s playground isn’t a firm concrete surface. See to it that their play equipment is securely built. Supervise your kid and be there to intercept them if and when they fall. Erect baby gates or fences to cordon off stairs.

7. Protect your child from fires and burns

Install smoke alarms on every floor of your house, kitchen, sleeping areas, and living rooms. Replace alarms that are more than 10 years old, and ensure the ones installed are working. Put all matches and lighters out of your child’s reach.

8. Restrict access

Keep hazardous items under lock and key. There are simple mechanisms to keep out children such as latches and locks on doors. Install safety gates to deter toddlers from wandering off to places they shouldn’t. However, make sure the slats on gates are so narrow; the child can’t get their tiny head through.

9. Kitchen safety

Many children go to the ER every day because of dangers in the cooking area. First, try to limit your kid’s access to the kitchen and keep utensils out of their reach. Ensure you unplug all electrical appliances when done with them. As kids start learning to cook, make sure they understand that utensils are not toys.

10. CPR, first aid, and emergency numbers

Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and it’s always better to be prepared for anything. Learn some first aid and CPR for free online or from professional training institutions. With basic knowledge, you can properly care for your child better before medical help arrives. Make a list of emergency numbers near you from your local doctor to the police. Have your nurse on speed dial.

Conclusion

Babies are naturally inquisitive, but you have to lay down some house rules for them to be out of harm’s way. Supervision is key when handling a small child since most incidents are preventable. Teach your innocent kids what is safe and what isn’t. You will rest easy knowing that your home is considerably safer for the curious child. It’s incredibly easy to overlook some necessary steps, so consider all the potential issues highlighted, room by room making sure nothing gets missed.