Sometimes it seems that just when you’ve gotten into a good routine with your baby, they jump to a new milestone and shake things up! Crawling is a big transition for your bub and suddenly everything in your home feels like a hazard. Here’s how to keep your little one safe as they start exploring.
- Cords and wires
Tie up and move any cords, cables, and wires well out of your bub’s reach, including window blind pulls. It’s best to move them well out of grasping height too, as the next thing you know, your little one will be trying to reach them as they learn to walk.
- Lock lower cabinets and drawers
Any cabinet or drawer that can be pulled open from a low level should be locked or secured. Not only can little fingers get caught or pinched in them, but getting inside these cabinets can also mean your bub gets access to lots of things that are dangerous, delicate, or messy.
- Block off your stairs
If you haven’t installed them already, it’s time to put baby gates on the top and bottom of your stairs. Bubs are attracted to stairs and height hazards, and the last thing you want is for your little one to take a tumble.
- Secure furnishings
As your bub becomes better at crawling, they’ll start to try to pull themselves up using whatever is nearby. Lightweight furniture and ornaments should be secured or placed out of reach, so they don’t knock into it and tip it over or pull up on it and cause it to topple.
- Childproof outlets
There are some great products you can use to secure electrical outlets, including ones that have a cover that automatically slides over the outlet when it’s not in use. You can also push couches or beds in front of outlets.
- Keep your floor clear
So many things are choking hazards for young bubs, so implement a rule that nothing stays on the floor unsupervised that isn’t safe to go into their mouth. This includes pet food, Legos, hairbands – everything!
- Close off danger zones
You should also limit your bub’s access to only safe spaces in your home. You can section off the garage and kitchen, install a fence around your pool, lock your garden shed or fence off a play area in the garden, and keep your home office closed.
- Make your floor crawl-friendly
Hardwood and tile floors are beautiful and easy to clean, but they’re a bit hard on your bub’s knees. There are some great interlocking foam pads you can use for play areas in addition to throwing down some easy-to-clean non-slip rugs. And you can also get baby pants or leggings that provide some padding for their legs.
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