Advice History

To be successful, get down on your hands and knees and crawl around your house.  Estimate how high a toddler can reach.  If there is a cabinet or drawer than can be opened that has something that could harm a baby, lock it.  Better to be safe than sorry.   Your local hardware store has a number of plastic devices that are easy to install with a screwdriver and elbow grease.  You'll sleep better knowing your child can't get to the cleaning supplies.

Bring in some friendly help

One idea is to bring in the mom of a young toddler to scope out your house. She will know right away what sort of mischief or danger is possible.

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What we should worry about babyproofing

 

I remember being worried when my kids started crawling and walking about what they could get into (cabinets with medicine, cleaning products, etc.).  What I found out since scares me.  You babyproof the house to safeguard the ones that don't know any better, but then we harm them with the products we use on them such as the baby wipes, baby shampoo, and the cleaning products we use to clean the house they live in.  All of the products have carinogens.  Baby Shampoo has cancer causing agents in it, it is sad to say that and it is not well known.  Another thing that is not well known is how to make our families healthier by simply switching products and switching stores to things that are both healthier and good for the environment.  It is just as economically friendly if not more so than what you buy now so why harm your family if you don't have to.

 

Brandy@my e-mail for any questions

 

Fun with Babyproofing!

Babyproofing devices are not only expensive but a pain in the butt to install so why not go for DIY? Rubber-bands are a great way to keep cabinets locked. Or you can opt for twisty ties or even underwear. (I know, I know... sounds weird, right?) But that is what I did.

I also have used hair ties and even maxi-pads for table corners! (You might want to remove these when guests arrive.)

Keeping all items out of reach of baby before you need to is a good habit to start. (And never too early.)

I am always shocked how my son can get to anything if he wants it bad enough, which is why your safest bet is always to keep dangerous items up AND locked away. Like in a ceiling vault. Heh.

-Rebecca @ Girl'sGoneChild

Don't go nuts with babyproofing until you have to.

I remember panicking when I was pregnant, combing those child safety aisles in the humongo baby stores, wondering would I really need pinch guards for doors, ugly coffee table corner wraps, and a toilet paper roll guard that could keep a Mensa member out.

As it turned out, my daughter, now two, hasn't bonked into the table yet and never really developed an interest in unraveling the Charmin. All we've really needed are outlet covers and a cabinet latch for the cleaning supplies under the sink.  Total cost: Maybe 10 bucks?

The babyproofing industry can easily prey on the fears of new mothers. Wait and see what the problem areas are based on your own child's curiosity. You just may find  child proofing can be done more simply--and inexpensively--than you ever imagined.

Which isn't to say that you won't want a liquor cabinet lock when the kids are oh, say 16...

-Liz @ Mom-101