10 Smart Home Safety Tips for Your Baby: A blog about all the hazards around your house and how you can keep your baby safe

Children are curious all the time. They will get into anything and everything. If you have children or have a baby or toddler, you have no doubt witnessed this firsthand. They are always eager to explore the world and touch, squeeze, and chew on whatever they can get their hands on…including the dangerous things! For all new parents, safety is paramount. However, parents have so much on their minds that sometimes we forget about the things that are mostly dangerous to our children.

Think for a moment, have you ever considered how many dangers there are around your house? You've probably thought about the stairs or the kitchen, but have you ever thought about the amount of storage you have in your house? A home is a maze of cupboards, drawers, boxes, and shelves that could conceal any number of hazards. With a baby in the house, these hazardous objects could be lethal if your little one gets hold of them. It's time to get to know your home safety Hazards and help make your home a safe place for you and your family. With a bit of preparation, you can make a world of difference for your baby. There are many things you can do to keep your child safe at home; here are ten simple ways to protect your little one from potential dangers:

1- Keep Your Baby’s Crib Away From Windows and Blinds

When decorating your baby’s room, it is important to know that the best location for your child’s crib is away from windows. If you ever have a window open in your little one’s room, make sure that their crib is at least 3 feet away from it. While you may enjoy the breeze, it can be extremely dangerous for infants. Babies are not strong enough to fight the pull of a breeze and if they are close to the window, they could fall out of it while they sleep. If there is a blind or curtain cord hanging next to the crib, your baby could also get tangled up in it and not be able to free themselves.

2- Make Sure You Have a Smoke Detector

You should already have smoke detectors installed in your home but make sure that you also have them placed in rooms where your children will be sleeping. This will help ensure that the alarm goes off when your kids are sleeping so you can stop any problems before they start. Make sure to test them regularly and replace their batteries as needed.

3- Install Safety Locks on Cabinets, Drawers, and Cupboards 

When it comes to protecting your young children, safety is always the priority. When they start crawling and walking, you may find that they've become interested in exploring every nook and cranny of your home. Your cabinets, drawers, and cupboards are intriguing places to them, but these areas can also be dangerous if they contain medicine or cleaning products. While it's important to keep these items out of reach, you can also install safety locks on cabinets, drawers, and cupboards to protect your little ones.

4- Make Sure All Appliances Are Unplugged When Not in Use  

You might be surprised at how many appliances use electricity when they're not in use. Coffee makers, microwaves, DVD players, and other kitchen appliances are often on standby mode, meaning they're using electricity even though they're not being used. To ensure the baby is safe from harm, make sure all appliances are unplugged when they're not in use

5- Get rid of all the toxic products

Babies are curious and they put anything they get into their mouths. Most cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful to the baby, especially when inhaled. Toxins are everywhere and babies are exposed to them more than anyone else. Cleaning and cosmetic products, perfumes, medicines, air fresheners – all these are dangerous to babies. Keep them in locked cupboards for the safety of babies

6- Put a gate at the top and bottom of the stairs

Climbing stairs is a major milestone for babies. But it's also a dangerous time because their bodies aren't yet capable of handling the challenge. This is especially important if your baby can't stand yet; you may want to wait until he's learned to pull himself to a standing position before installing a gate. To prevent falls, put gates at the top and bottom of any staircases in your home.

7- Don't leave your baby unattended in the bath or near water

Taking a bath or shower with your baby can be a great bonding experience. Parents often find it relaxing and babies often really enjoy the experience too. But, however tempting it may be, you should never leave your baby alone in the bath or in a room with water. Babies don't have strong neck muscles and they can easily slip under the water. They also don't know how to rescue themselves if they do fall in. Never leave your baby unattended in the bath – not even for one second. If you must answer the door or phone, wrap her up in a towel and take her with you.

8- Don't leave your baby on raised surfaces 

Babies can learn a lot in their first year of life, but they're still not ready to sit up on their own. Don't leave your baby on raised surfaces like beds, couches, or tables. Your baby could roll-off or fall off if not supervised by an adult, which could cause serious injury.

9- Avoid Cords 

Cords are dangerous for babies and toddlers. If a baby gets tangled up in cords draping down from blinds and curtains, she may choke or accidentally strangle herself. Make sure that blinds and curtains are free of long cords by tying them up or cutting them off completely. The blinds and curtains in your baby's nursery should be cords-free. Avoid using anything that dangles, including crib mobiles.

10- Keep Hot Liquids Out of the reach of Babies 

Your baby's skin is very sensitive and thin. Even a slight burn can leave your baby with a deep red mark. Keep hot drinks like tea, coffee, and hot milk out of your baby's reach as these can scald your baby badly if spilled on him/her. In addition, if you are holding a cup of hot liquid, never carry your baby at the same time. Make sure to put it down before you pick up your baby.

Bottom Line 

Home Safety Hazards are waiting in every corner of your home. You may not even be aware that your home has these hidden dangers lurking in every room. Whether it be medication, cleaning supplies, or toys, most homes have something that could harm your baby - and you.

So, next time you take a look around your home, count how many of the above hazards you could find…it’ll be a surprise! You'd be surprised at just how prevalent they are. Once you have made a list, think seriously about what could happen if your baby can get hold of them. It's important to remove such items as quickly as possible before your baby becomes mobile and begins to explore his or her surroundings.