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GeoBaby.Com arrow Articles arrow Baby arrow Baby Proofing Your Home - Part 2
Baby Proofing Your Home - Part 2
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Baby Proofing Your Home - Part 2
Take a Walk Through your Home
Page 1 of 2
In my last article I talked about how easily accidents in the home happen. I discussed the need to think ahead and baby-proof your home before your child reaches the next developmental stage at which new aspects become reasons for concern. It is worth noting that accidents in the home happen much more often to boys than girls! In this article I will take a walk through an imaginary home and point out some considerations you will need to take when baby-proofing. First of all, let’s think of the most common type of injuries caused by accidents in the home. They are as follow:

  • Choking. A serious threat to 3 years old or and under and a major cause of death. Choking may occur when food, small objects such as buttons, beads and coins, pieces of toys, hair-slides, pills, foam and pieces of balloons get lodged in the throat and block the airway .The toilet roll test is a good way of deciding which objects are too small for babies. If an object can fit through a toilet roll then it is a choking risk to a child who is an under 3 years old or under.
  • Poisoning. This is not just caused by chemicals you keep under the kitchen sink. Poisoning may occur if a child drinks alcohol, eats a flower or plant, takes too much of any medication, sucks the tip of a tube of glue or eats a moth ball.
  • Burns. Keep children away from hot drinks. Fill a baby’s or child’s bath with cold water first, and then add hot. Don’t let toddlers near taps which they can turn on themselves. Don’t heat bottles or baby food in the microwave. Burns can be caused by heat, chemicals, ultra violet or electricity. Almost all burns are preventable. Use smoke detectors in your home and replace batteries when they run out. Make sure you and your helper know an escape route from your apartment in the case of a fire and know the fire drill.
  • Electrical Shock. Can be life threatening. Use caps to block unused electrical outlets. Don’t overload sockets. Never use electrical appliances near water. Replace broken or frayed electrical cords.
  • Fractures and Head Injuries. Almost always caused by a child pulling on or climbing up a piece of furniture. Secure lighter furniture to walls. Remove heavy objects such as lamps which a child may pull on. Use stair-gate at stairways and steps to prevent falling. Keep toddlers away from bunk beds.
  • Cuts. Broken glass, sharp objects, and fingers getting stuck in door frames, all contribute to these injuries.


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