If you’ve got a baby at home (or you’re expecting one soon), then you know how important it is to make sure your environment is safe. Even before your baby can crawl, there are potential hazards in your home that they may encounter. And once they start crawling, nothing is off-limits. The best time to baby-proof your home is before bringing your little one home, and you may need to continue making safety adjustments as they get older. With that in mind, here are our best tips for making your home safe for your baby.

Address big issues first

When you’re readying your home for your little bundle of joy, you should tackle the big problems first. This can include repairing broken windows, checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and looking for lead paint. Any home that was built before 1978 may contain lead paint, which is toxic to everyone but especially children. If you suspect you have lead paint, then you need to hire a contractor who specializes in detecting and removing lead paint. Never try to remove lead paint yourself.

Anchor heavy items to the wall

Furniture and televisions can easily tip. That’s why it’s so important for you to evaluate your furniture, televisions, and other large items for tipping hazards. Anything that could be pulled over by a small child should be firmly anchored to the wall.

Install cabinet latches

As your baby turns into a toddler, they’ll have the mobility and curiosity to open cabinets that are within reach. For this reason, you should install child-proof latches on your cabinets. This includes kitchen and bathroom cabinets and any furniture that has doors that are easy to open. There are many types of latches on the market, so you can choose the ones that best suit your needs. You might also want to consider adding a toilet lock and locking your liquor cabinet.

Keep cleaning products and medicine out of reach

If you’re like most people, then you probably keep cleaning products underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks. But if you’ve got young kids in the house, they need to be stored up and away from curious hands. The same goes for medicine. Even medications that are stored in child-proof containers can sometimes be opened by determined kids. Keep the number for Poison Control accessible in case of emergencies.

Install cordless blinds

Did you know that traditional mini blinds and other window coverings can be a strangling hazard? Those loose cords can cause serious problems should a child become entangled in them. Replace any window coverings that have strings with cordless blinds instead.

Other tips to consider

There are many other small ways to make your home safer for your baby. These can include:

  • Getting a temperature guard for your water heater so the water doesn’t go above 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Installing covers over electrical outlets.
  • Getting non-slip pads for rugs.
  • Covering sharp furniture corners with padding or bumpers.
  • Unplugging appliances that aren’t in use.
  • Finishing painting the nursery several weeks before the baby arrives to let fumes dissipate.
  • Installing covers on stove knobs to keep young kids from turning the burners on.
  • Checking your houseplants to ensure they are non-toxic.
  • Adding safety gates to stairways and doors.
  • Installing window stops to avoid falls.

Contact Keller New York today!

Are you ready to find the perfect New York home for your growing family? Then contact the Keller New York Bronx office at 718-697-6800 or the Eastchester – Scarsdale office at 914-713-3270 today to speak with one of our agents. Let us help you bring your real estate aspirations to life!