Baby Crawling and Walking: Is Your Home Safe?

2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 18:44

He is very small, and we dream of the moment when baby will start to crawl and then, little by little, to walk. But this new baby freedom comes with its share of risks and, as we know, prevention is better than cure!

We cannot repeat it enough: you have to keep an eye on your child, especially when he is young. But despite all our good faith, the bits of cabbage are surprisingly fast and an accident quickly happened. That is why it is better to secure certain things in our house. To help you see more clearly, we have compiled this list for you!

General

What can baby manage to grasp? Anything that comes up to it. As soon as it is mobile, it is therefore often attracted to power outlets, heaters, certain kitchen drawers, but also by all the little ones forgotten under the furniture or the stove… And it's not because he does not yet know how to walk and he is unable to get up, for example by holding himself to a table. It must be ensured that no dangerous object is within reach, and that the power cables of household appliances are impossible to catch. Yes: this is thesweet time when everything is always in the center of the tables!

It might be a good idea to…

• Install childproof handle covers, especially for doors in rooms where you don't want baby exploring, such as the laundry room where there are dangerous items or doors to the outside.
• Attach curtain and blind cords to the wall, so that they are out of your child's reach at all times.
• Store dangerous products (corrosive or toxic household products) in a place to which the child does not have access.
• Make sure that the child cannot open the window (no more than 10 cm), or that it is out of reach. Mosquito nets do not prevent falls. Thus, furniture is placed away from windows that can be opened.
• Place animal food in a place out of reach.
• Lighters, matches and candles should always be kept in a safe place.
• Check if your plants are poisonous; if they are, put them in a safe place.
• Secure electrical sockets and remove any power cords after use – babies love chewing on them! And don't forget to store extension cords, and secure power bar outlets that aren't in use.

Barriers

Some houses and some apartments do not have doors between all the rooms, or the stairwell is open. If it'sIn your case, a safety gate could save you a lot of trouble by preventing baby from coming and going wherever he wants. Indeed, when a child becomes mobile, he usually balks at the idea of being immobilized in a playpen. By installing barriers, you have peace of mind, and he can then explore safely!

Make sure that the safety barrier complies with the applicable regulations. For example, some safety gates manufactured before 1990 have large V-shaped openings at the top, or large diamond-shaped openings at the sides, and are non-compliant. The openings must be small enough that the child cannot pass their head or body through them.

Also, be sure to choose the right gate for the age of the child and where it will be placed. At the top of a staircase, it should be fixed to the wall. At the bottom of the stairs, or in a corridor, a model retained by pressure is sufficient.

It might be a good idea to install a protective barrier around the fireplace or heaters.

The Kitchen

Did you know that most serious injuries happen in the kitchen and in the bathroom? All the more reason to make sure everything is safe in these rooms.

Kitchen Safety Tips

• Get into the habit of cooking on the back rings of the stove and turn pot handles backwards.
• Children will be attractedto the knobs on your stove. If it is on gas, it would be better to remove them.
• We always make sure that the power cords of small appliances do not hang down.
• All sharp or pointed objects must be in a locked or latched drawer.
• Always place hot food and drinks away from the corners of the table or counter.
• Fix the door of the oven and the dishwasher with latches that block the opening.

The stay

It is recommended that heavy objects, such as televisions, be securely fastened to the wall or cabinet. We also make sure to fix the shelves and bookcases to the wall (there has recently been. If you own reclining chairs (the famous Lay-Z-Boy), be careful and keep baby away when you open it and close it.

The bathroom

The door to the bathroom should be closed so that baby does not venture there when you are not there.

Don't Forget

• All household products and cosmetics, as well as medicines, should be stored in an elevated and secure cupboard.
• Always store the hair dryer, razors, irons and such in a cupboard after use.
• Keep the toilet lid locked with a device so that baby cannot open it.
• In the bath, you can cover the faucets, or even get a device specially designed for this purpose.

Baby's room

When baby begins to be mobile, it is important to lower the crib mattress to the lowest. Note also that regulations concerning baby cribs have recently changed, and that baby beds with removable sides will soon be banned from sale.

• Remove mobiles and other hanging toys when baby begins to crawl.
• Plug in the nightlight away from the crib, otherwise baby will be tempted to grab it.
• All diaper changing products should be placed in a safe place.

Also…

• On the balcony, make sure that the chairs, table or other furniture on which baby could climb are far enough away from the railings.
• You can install plastic or gel corner protectors on the edges of low or baby height furniture.

Keep in view the number of the Quebec Poison Control Centre: 1-800-463-5060.