Expecting a new arrival? Simple ideas for baby proofing your home

Posted on Thursday, January 10th, 2019

A new baby is a blessing, and the countdown to the day the bundle arrives is always an exciting, nerve-wracking and busy time. While there are many things to think about, one of the most important that you can consider is domestic safety.

Babies are naturally curious, and accidents can happen, so that is why we have put together a few tips to help you minimise the risk. On average, babies start to crawl at eight months old, but since those first eight months will be pretty full-on for you as a parent, it is always best to baby proof your home before they arrive. Read on to find out more…

Install a fireguard

If you have an open fire, a sturdy fireguard is a must for a new arrival. At an average cost of £30, it is an inexpensive and worthwhile investment, as it can allow you to keep your home warm while keeping your baby from harm. A fireguard is also quick and easy to install, as explained in this video.

On the subject of potential burns, it is also a good idea to be mindful of radiators when your baby learns to crawl, as these are more difficult to shield but easy for a child to harm themselves on.

Keep certain things out of reach

Some things are just very appealing to a curious baby who is learning about the world around them. Unfortunately, more often than not, babies are curious about things that can harm them. Make sure electronic devices such as hairdryers and straighteners are unplugged and all sockets are switched off.

This may seem like an obvious tip – but, sometimes, certain safety precautions are so obvious that they can often slip through the net. We also recommend investing in socket covers to ensure your child’s safety.

Install safety gates

One of the best ways to ensure safety in your home for your baby is having safety gates installed. Although these can be expensive depending on how many you choose to install in your home, they can act as a worthy investment when it comes to safety.

We recommend that they are installed on your kitchen doors as a minimum, as the kitchen is one of the most dangerous rooms in the house – for obvious reasons. Here is a video guide to fitting a safety gate for your baby’s benefit.

Organise your cupboards efficiently

Prioritise and organise the content of your cupboards. We recommend using higher and harder-to-reach cupboards for storing items that babies should not be getting their hands on, such as tablets or breakable kitchenware. For extra safety, locking all cupboards (particularly in the bathroom and kitchen) may be a worthwhile option.