Details: Category: Parenting Advice Archive; Published on 25 February 2013; Written by Super User

toddler ipad

By Lauren Beerling

Curiosity is the best way for a child to enrich his or her young mind. However, it can also be very dangerous. To ensure that your toddler can safely explore the world it’s important for you to baby proof your home. The best way to make sure your home is properly baby proofed is to go room by room checking each one for hazards and subsequently fixing them so they no longer pose a threat to your child.

Bathroom

Keep your cosmetics, razors and medicine in a hard to reach, locked cabinet. These are obvious dangers to a small child and should be as hard to access as possible.

Keep your toilet seat closed and locked. In addition to having a big mess to clean up, the consequences of an open toilet could even be as severe as drowning in certain instances.

Cotton swabs and other choking hazards should be kept on a high shelf in your closets or cabinets.

Living Room

Look under sofas and cushions for loose change and other choking hazards. This should be a routine that you do regularly, especially after having company at your home. If your child is crawling around and finds something shiny under the couch they will likely end up putting it in their mouth and choking on it.

Cut or tie the cord to your blinds and shades. This will assure that your child doesn’t choke on the strings or get tangled into the cords.

Kitchen

Refrigerator magnets should be kept at the top of the fridge so they are out of reach of your little ones. This will prevent your toddler from grabbing one and choking on it.

Lock all the doors to your cabinets and appliances such as ovens and dishwashers. Anything your child’s fingers could get pinched in could likely lead to other injuries as well so be sure to lock them up.

Keep your toddler safe by adding bumpers to sharp corners of counters and tables. Also consider buying furniture with rounded edges. These tips are just a few of the many ways to keep your children safe at home.

About the Author:

This article was written by Lauren Beerling. Lauren works with Real Estate Equities, an apartment renter in St. Paul.