Babyproofing your home is important when your little one starts to crawl, but even the best baby-proofed home won't prepare you for when your little crawling baby turns into a walking toddler. They can get into a lot of things that babies only dream of!
It's always a good idea to think about how you can keep your home safe for your child at every stage in their life. If you currently have a toddler, these tips will help make sure they are safe morning, noon, and night.
Monitor Your Child When They're Playing With Small Objects
Many toddlers continue to put things in their mouth when exploring their environment. Most toddlers know that they should spit out whatever they put in there, but that doesn't mean that's always what happens. It's easy for a small toy to accidentally be swallowed.
It's extremely important to monitor your child whenever they are playing with items that are small enough to put in their mouth because up to 20 percent of swallowed items could require a doctor's intervention. Some items, like magnets, are especially dangerous because they can continue to attract each other in your child's digestive system.
Play with your child whenever they are handling particularly small objects, and when playtime is over, lock them away in a cabinet your child can't reach.
Be Mindful of the Handles on Pots and Pans in the Kitchen
There are many things you should do to make the kitchen a safer place for your toddler, as it's one of the most dangerous rooms in your home. It includes doing things like:
Installing safety latches on cabinets
Using a child-resistant garbage can
Keeping aluminum foil dispensers away from children
Removing knobs from the stove
However, it's also important to reconsider our habits when we're in the kitchen. One of the biggest things you can do to keep your child safe in the kitchen is to keep the handles on pots and pans out of reach. That means using the back burners on the stove and placing hot skillets away from the edge of the counter.
Secure Furniture to the Wall
Some toddlers are big climbers. Unfortunately, there isn't anything you can do about it aside from getting rid of all the vertical furniture in your house, which isn't very realistic.
If you have a youngster who loves to climb, you should instead consider securing your furniture to the wall. That includes both tall and short bookcases, as well as nightstands, desks, and anything else that could topple easily should your toddler decide to start climbing.
Secure Entrances and Exits to Your Home
The latch on your door is enough to keep a curious baby from wandering into the bathroom or going outside. The same isn't always true for toddlers. Those who are determined to explore can learn how to open doors quite easily. That can be annoying if you want to keep them out of the office, but it can be downright dangerous if they open the front door and wander outside.
Make sure all entrances and exits to your home are locked when you're at home so your child can't decide to go exploring. If your toddler is good at getting your existing lock undone, consider another type of lock, like a chain lock at the top of the door, or a child-safe deadbolt.
Never Leave Your Child Unattended Near Water
There are many ways to make bath time go great for your toddler, but it's not all about making sure your child has fun in the tub. It's also about making sure they are safe while they're taking a bath.
Most parents know not to leave their baby in the bath alone, but some make the mistake of thinking that their two- or three-year old can be left in the tub for just a few seconds while they grab something from the other room. That's a mistake. Toddlers can still drown if given just a few seconds, so make sure you stay with them in the bathroom. That includes shutting the door while the tub drains so your child isn't tempted to climb back inside.
You should monitor your child near any water. That includes the kiddie pool in the backyard and the pond at the local park too.
Keep Harmful Chemicals and Supplies Locked Away
With their newfound skills, toddlers can get into cabinets and drawers that were once out of their reach when they were a small baby. A new approach is needed when your child gets older. Household chemicals that were kept under the kitchen and bathroom sinks should be placed out of reach inside a closet.
You may also be surprised to learn how many common household items can pose a danger to your child! Some common household chemicals and items that should be stored out of reach include:
Air fresheners
Bleach
Drain cleaners
Laundry detergent
Dish detergent packets
Keep Your Child Safe Around the Family Pet
You may not have had to think too much about your baby's safety around the family pet when you first brought them home. Newborn babies don't get up to much! However, when your baby turns into a toddler, you may find that the relationship between your child and the family pet is strained.
Cats and kids can be an especially dangerous combination, but dogs also have their limits. A few tips for keeping your child safe around the family pet include:
Never leave your child unattended with a pet
Spay or neuter your pet to reduce aggression
Never allow your child to approach your pet while it's eating
Teach your child the right way to pet your cat or dog
The dangers in your home change as your child gets older. When once the stairs were your greatest concern, now a toppled bookshelf may be top of your mind. With these tips, you can make sure even the most adventurous toddler can avoid accidents in your home.
