As a new parent, you have just gotten a handle on your baby’s feeding habits and diaper changing schedule, and you now realize that you have to create space for his or her constantly changing routine. As your bundle of joy gets older, you have to take precautions to ensure that your Manhattan apartment is safe and secure for toddlers and crawlers. Here are a few ways of baby proofing your apartment as your baby starts exploring the environment around him or her.
Get Down to Your Baby’s Eye Level
The best way to spot potential household hazards is by yourself crawling around the apartment floor (it will look absurd, but it’s a great start). Small objects like dust, nails, dog bowls and wires are some of the things that you never give much thought to when you are standing five to six feet above ground level. Babies have a keen sense of eyesight for such small things that are nearby.
Your baby will notice them and you might not even notice. So, it’s time you get on all fours and get rid of anything that looks remotely interesting to put in a baby’s mouth. Moreover, your baby will certainly be playing on your bed, so use a waterproof mattress protector to protect your mattress from little accidents.
Cover Electric Outlets
Your floor level electrical outlets should have covers, unless you are using them, in which case you should set up a barrier that prevents your toddler from playing with the plugs. You can find baby-safe outlet covers at many online stores; in particular, go for the ones that feature the sliding panel cover. These types of electrical outlet covers automatically slide over your outlet once you pull out the plug.
Baby Locks on Cabinets
For babies, even for adults, the kitchen is especially dangerous. Your baby should never roam around your kitchen floor unattended, even if you are keeping a close eye on him or her, secure the bottom cabinets with child proof locks. It takes only a second for an accident to happen, and the last thing you want to deal with is your child drenched in cleaning chemicals or bleeding from a cut he or she got from a sharp appliance.
Purchase a Baby Gate
For areas without a door, your best investment is a baby gate with solid panels. It is better to avoid gates with fancy bars because your baby can get his or her hands – even the head – in between the fancy rails. The other kind of gate to avoid is the accordion-style, even though it may not be available everywhere.
Cover or Remove Sharp Edges
Clumsy babies learning to walk or stand are fun to watch, but the joy can quickly dissipate if there is a sharp corner involved. Look into exchanging your sharp cornered coffee table with a round one or, even better, get rid of it altogether to give your baby enough space to scoot around. If you cannot do without furniture, then purchase safety guards that turn the sharp areas into soft ones; while they are not stylish, it is time to face the reality; with a baby in the house, your apartment will not look stylish for a couple of years.
Keep the Bathroom Door Closed
If your dog has the habit of drinking out of the toilet bowl, chances are that your baby will follow suit. After the kitchen, bathrooms are the next most dangerous place for the toddler to explore. The best way to keep your baby safe from the tubs, showers, medicine cabinets and chemicals is by inculcating the habit of always closing the bathroom door.