Moving to a new home comes with a lot of tasks. You need to get packing supplies, pack your belongings, find the right movers, and organize the logistics of the move. And then comes the unpacking and settling in. Even if it doesn’t exactly sound like a lot, you know it indeed is by now. However, if you’re about to have a baby or already have an infant or a toddler, there is another task you must do. And that is ensuring your new home is a safe place for your kids. Child-proofing your new home is a priority – it will allow your kids to safely explore their new home and give you the peace of mind you need. So where to start? Here are our seven tips for child-proofing your new home!
Should you child-proof your home?
The simple answer is an absolute yes. Children are curious little explorers. They’re learning about the world around them and experiencing new things with each discovery. And when it comes to toddlers, they’re also fast – they can get into trouble within seconds. That’s why your home should be secured from all potential hazards.
The actual question is: How much should you child-proof your home? The answers to this question vary. It will depend on your home and your kids, too. However, for starters, it’s better to go a bit overboard than take risks. Later you’ll see what is necessary and what really isn’t. Here we’ve made a list of things you should do to ensure your kids can explore their new home freely and joyfully.
#1 Go room by room and assess the risks
Before you start, it’s a good idea to assess your home on the whole. Inspect every room and consider all the hazards. It may be too much to keep it all in your head, so you can use a planner to organize the better. List all the risks and then make your shopping and to-do list. Ideally, you can do this before you move in. That way, you’ll have everything you need at hand as soon as you arrive at your new home.
#2 Indoor safety gates are the first step in child-proofing your new home
Next, for babies and infants, some areas aren’t safe. If you don’t want your kids to go near the fireplace or into the kitchen or the bathroom, safety gates are the way to go. They are easy to install and can be moved from place to place as needed. You can block the stairs and use them to create an area where your kids can safely enjoy their eat-play-sleep routine.
#3 Keep fragile and breakable items out of reach
One of the big hazards for your little ones is small or breakable items. Children put a lot of things into their mouths, especially when they’re teething. As for fragile items that can easily break, they’re also a danger. A kid may swallow the smaller bits or cut themselves on sharp edges.
That’s why you want to keep all such items safely out of their reach. If they’re colorful or shiny, it may be a good idea to keep them out of sight too. Your kid may try reaching for them and accidentally knocking them (or something else) off the shelf and hurting themselves. This leads us to our next point.
#4 Secure the furniture in your new home
You don’t want any wobbly or insecure furniture in your new home. Moving to a new place is always a surprise for children. It means they are away from familiar surroundings and their routines. Talking to your toddlers can help them understand the move and help them feel comfortable.
However, they should also be comfortable moving around freely, exploring, and learning about their new home. Coffee tables, chairs, and other furniture can get in the way. The last thing you want is for these pieces to fall and hurt your kid. So, fix everything tightly and use furniture brackets and fasteners to secure everything in its place.
#5 Lock away your cleaning cabinets
Cleaning is also a priority when child-proofing your new home. There are many reasons why we clean, but the main is that we want to live in a healthy and pleasant environment. However, cleaning comes with other risks we should keep our kids from. Not all cleaning products are safe and natural. In fact, they contain plenty of chemicals, some of which are toxic and harmful.
Colorful bottles may appeal to kids, so keeping all such products safely locked away and out of kids’ reach is vital. The same goes for medicines and alcohol or any other drawers and cabinets that contain sharp and dangerous tools or products.
#6 Tie the cords and secure the outlets
Open outlets pose one of the greatest dangers in the home. Children don’t realize how dangerous electricity is and often try to put objects in them. So, it’s your priority to cover the outlets in your home before your toddler tries experimenting to see if their finger will fit in.
Also, while adults know better than to play with outlets, sprawling cords can trip even a careless adult. Kids with their eyes on the goal can easily overlook them and fall. So, keep them neatly arranged and out of sight and reach.
#7 Corner guards are a must
Now, we want you to lie down on the floor and look at your new home from your infant’s perspective. Can you see the things they can bump into or trip over while crawling or walking (or running!) around? What about any sharp corners? Use child-proofing bumpers to pad all the sharp corners in your child’s way.
Additionally, if you’re worrying about the floor being too hard, for example, hardwood or tiles, you can always opt for soft and plushy carpets. They’ll prevent your kid from hurting themselves if they roll, play, or even fall.
The bottom line
As adults, we’re not accustomed to looking at our homes in terms of dangers or hazards. But, with a baby on the way or already in the house, turning the home into a safe and cozy place is a priority. Follow our guide for child-proofing your new home and ensure your kids have a carefree and enjoyable start in their new life.
