There are many changes and challenges associated with having a baby.It's possible that you're worried about making your house safer.Since many families spend a lot of time in the living room of their home, it is important to babyproof this room before you bring your baby home.
Step 1: Low surfaces and floors should be kept free of small objects.
There is a chance your baby could choke on something if he can fit it in his mouth.Keep small objects out of your baby's reach and keep the floor clean.Pick up any small items you don't notice visually by vacuuming the living room floor.If deflated latex balloons or forgotten paperclips are left on the floor for your baby to find and ingest, they could be a choking hazard.You should inspect your baby's toys frequently.Small pieces may fall off.If you see small pieces from a toy on the floor, you should discard them.Furniture should be moved to pick up small objects.It is possible for your baby to find things you missed.Old batteries, loose paper, and buttons from the remote might have found their way under the furniture.
Step 2: There are secure electrical cords.
Attach cords with zip ties, velcro, or cord straps to keep them out of your baby's reach.Your baby might become entangled in the cords if they stay on the floor.Attach the excess cord length with a zip tie.Command hooks can be used to hook the cord to the wall.If you hook the cord high, your baby won't be able to pull it down.If you want to keep your baby from pulling on electrical cords, you should move furniture in front of the cords and outlets.All access to the cord and the outlet will be blocked at the same time.
Step 3: All electrical outlets should be covered.
There are many ways to cover your outlets, including moving furniture in front of them.You can use other methods if rearranging furniture isn't an option.Plastic outlet covers can be used.You can buy these at any store.They are difficult for a baby to grasp and pull out because they are flat against the outlet.Baby-safe electrical outlet plates can be installed over your existing outlets to prevent your baby from getting to them.They clip over the original cover.Plug your cord in when you put the prongs in place, then slide the cover to the side and use the outlet.You would be less likely to misplace them or forget to put them back in if you use these instead of plastic covers.
Step 4: The floor should be softer.
Your baby will need a softer place to sit and play if you have hard floors.If you have a baby, you can use anything from mats to rugs to make the floor softer.New carpeting could be installed on a more permanent basis.Gyms and playmats are great for babies.They come in many different styles and sizes and offer a soft place to lie down and play, as well as built in entertainment like toys, lights, and music to engage your baby and keep him or her happy.If you decide to go with an area rug or carpeting, choose something in a darker shade.Babies and young children are prone to spills and accidents, so a darker colored rug would allow you to better mask stubborn stains and leftover messes.
Step 5: Corner covers or bumpers are placed on the edges of furniture.
You can buy these in the baby care aisle of a big box store.They are easy to apply and remove when your child is older.Animals or cartoon characters are some of the fun shapes that come with these.Depending on how much you want to give up your own personal design style for your kids, you might consider these to make them more fun.Make sure you purchase enough for the corners and edges in your living room.This includes coffee tables, end tables and TV stands.
Step 6: Tall furniture should be secured to the wall.
Babies are more likely to climb or pull on furniture, which can cause it to fall on them.Hardware stores have kits that can be purchased to secure furniture to the wall.You can purchase furniture straps that will hold your end tables and bookcases in place.These straps are easy to use and reliable.If you want to redecorate or rearrange your furniture, they are easy to remove.
Step 7: Keeping drawers closed and secure is important.
If you have drawers in your living room, make sure you keep them closed.Use straps or locks to keep your child from pulling the drawers out.Think about the things you keep in drawers: remotes, items with small pieces, fragile items, candles, and even sharp objects or lighters.Make sure your baby doesn't have access to these items.If your baby pulls the drawers out and uses them as a ladder to climb higher, it could result in injury.Keeping drawers closed prevents this.Magnetic locks are one of the best ways to secure drawers in your living room.Many of the kits come with multiple locks and a single key.When you need to get into the drawer, they won't allow your child to open it even if there is a crack, which could cause her fingers to be caught.
Step 8: There are secured windows and window treatments.
As your baby grows, he may be able to reach the window'slatch even if the windows are low to the ground.You want to make sure that your windows are secure, as well as the drapes and blinds that you have on them.Depending on the type of windows you have, babyproofing them will be different.If you have sliding windows, or windows that slide to the left or right, you will want to put a bar in your window track to prevent the window from sliding open.If you have hung windows that push up to open, you will want to make sure they are locked and secured.Wrap cords around things like blinds and drapes.Your child is at risk of becoming entangled in these cords.Zip ties and Command hooks can be used to hang cords out of reach.You can choose window coverings.If the glass in your windows breaks, replace it with shatterproof glass or use shatter proof linings to keep it from shattering and harming your baby.Make sure your child is protected from falling out of the window.These bars allow you to open your windows and let air in without worrying about your child falling out.
Step 9: The door handles and locks are secured.
Since the living room is where the front door is, you want to make sure that your baby or toddler can't open it.If the handles and locks on the house are not secure, she can get her fingers caught in the door.There are many options for securing doors in your home to prevent your baby from getting injured, or from entering rooms they aren't allowed in.The Door Monkey is a device that allows air to move between rooms through a small gap in the door, but prevents it from opening or closing further.If you have a baby or toddler, use a cover on the deadbolts to keep them from being unlocked.The baby care aisle of most stores has these.Your child won't be able to turn door knobs if they have door knob covers on.Your child will not be able to open the door if you close it with a cloth.Put a cloth between the door and the frame and close it.If your child tries to push the door open, you will be able to open it yourself with a little push and pull.
Step 10: You should secure your screen or storm door.
If you have a screen door, use a metal mesh or grill on the bottom half to keep your baby from falling through or pushing the screen out.A metal grill over the lower portion of the screen can reinforce it.You can buy these at your local hardware store.If you clip into your screen door, you can keep air flowing in while still keeping your child safe.Special types of doors are installed by companies.The metal grill on the lower half of the screen is an option for many companies.
Step 11: A guard or barrier should be placed around fireplaces.
Even if these devices are not used, you want to make sure you keep them secure because they could pose a danger to your child.There are a lot of ways to cover your fireplace.A stylish way to babyproof a fireplace is to paint a panel with chalkboard paint.You could cover it with a piece of sheet metal.If you want to leave your fireplace functional while still protecting your child from it, you should install a gate with a wide girth that will keep the child away from the fire while the fireplace is in use.It is possible for a child to get his hands stuck in a hot radiator if it is not covered.You can make your own covers, or buy a variety of styles.
Step 12: Do you know if household plants are poisonous?
Plants in the living room should not be harmful to your child.It is possible for your child to become poisoned by eating soil from the pot, taking leaves or touching the plant.Plants in the house can be harmful to your child.All of the plants are toxic to children and even pets.You should put them out of reach in your living room.Live plants can be swapped out for plastic plants, but they pose threats.Children could choke on leaves or small pieces.All plants, real or fake, should be kept out of reach.
Step 13: Breakable items can be placed on high shelves.
Your baby or young toddler should not be able to reach items that are broken or expensive.She can do damage to the object and herself if she gets a hold of it.You may keep things like vases, decorative items, or even remote controls on your coffee and end tables.The items are out of reach of your child.If they are broken, they could cause harm.You can place these items on floating shelves.Put your decorative items away until your child is older.