Having a baby? Here's how to make your home baby-friendly
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Having a baby? Here's how to make your home baby-friendly

Martin Howard September 20, 2016 View all blog articles

Whether you and your partner are first-time parents or you're expecting your fourth child, it is a must to make (and keep) your home a baby-friendly environment. Baby-proofing your home goes way beyond installing mini gates by the staircase or padding the edges of your furniture pieces.

Wondering how you can make your home baby-friendly without sacrificing your home interior personal style? Well, we, at Guam Rentals, have got you covered. Keep on reading to see our curated tips on how to make your home baby-proof.

  1. Revisit your house's fire prevention capacity

    When you're having a baby, there's no such thing as taking too much precautions and preventive measures. Guarding your house against fire should be one of the primary items in your list when you're expecting a little addition to your family. Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on a monthly basis. Review your fire escape route especially if you live in a condominium building. Make sure your fire extinguisher is handy, full, easy to reach, and most 'specially, working. You can't imagine a nightmare worse than your 'ire extinguisher not working at the time you need it. Should you need to replace it, acquire it the soonest.

  2. Ban bugs safely

    Bugs are nasty, annoying creatures that can ruin your baby's skin and wreak havoc to your little one's health. They're irritating but they're actually not as half a big health threat as the insecticides that kill them. Babies and kids are more vulnerable to health-harming chemicals found in these insecticides. As children interact with their environment differently – you know babies put everything they get hold of into their mouths right? – they become susceptible to these dangerous substances found in pesticides.

    It has been scientifically proven and tested by pediatricians around the world that pesticides – once they're being taken or encountered by kids – cause impaired brain and diminish nervous system functions.functions

    So instead of getting rid of insects by spraying toxic chemicals, you may block off insects from coming near your house and your baby by sealing off gaps in your floors, walls, and windows, and keeping your kitchen clean and free of food particles. If you still must use pesticides, opt for baits instead of can sprays.

  3. Poison-proof your home

    Move all your cleaning and toiletry stuff – dishwashing paste, fabric conditioner, mothballs, hand soap, even vitamins and medicine – with chemicals away from easy reach of your kids. Get rid of toxic plants or any piece in your home that your baby might put inside his mouth.

    When you have visitors, ask them to leave their bags in a place where the little ones wouldn't be able to reach them.

  4. Childproofing gadgets are your best friends

    Don't wait for disaster to happen before you take extra precautions for your baby. There are a number of childproofing gadgets available in the market and online; some of these are carbon monoxide alarms, glass safety films, corner protectors, cooker guard, door slam protectors, and window locks.

  5. Make windows and patio doors safe

    Purchase blinds with no cords to avoid accidents; if you already have blinds at home with cords, knot them together and make sure the knot is so high that the baby won't be able to reach it.

    Keep chairs, tables, or any furniture piece that your child might climb on away from the window to prevent accidents. If you have a low window, have it fixed that it doesn't open more than 12.5 centimeters.

  6. Prevent falls

    Never leave things, such as toys, in the stairs to keep someone to trip up. If your stairs have carpet, make sure it's tight and not loose to avoid accidents and falls. Install a gate wide enough to cover the entrance of the stairs on both sides so the baby won't be able to crawl up to it or to fall down.

  7. Take extra precautions to make your mobile baby safe

    Once your baby learns how to crawl and walk, you have to be extra careful around your house. Remember, babies like to imitate adults so when your baby sees you cutting papers or chopping vegetables, they will most likely copy what you're doing. Keep all scissors, knives, and tools with sharp edges away from the baby's sight.

    A safe way to let your baby emulate what you do in a much safer way is to let them play with toys that look the tools you use, such as toy pots and pans, toy mobile phones, etc. Not only does it make your baby happy, it will help him improve his motor skills too.

    These are the tips to make your home a baby-friendly one. What about you, what do you do to child-proof your home and what are the precautions you have taken to make your house a baby-friendly environment

    If you like this article, please feel free to share it and watch this page for more practical tips for your home.