You have to ensure that your home is a safe haven for your baby, both newborns and toddlers. It's really hard to tell where your baby will get to once he starts crawling or walking, this the reason why you must baby proof.

The first step to baby proofing a house is to find the time to do it. You have to find a way to create that time to baby proof each room. It's better you do it yourself because you can't entrust the help with that task.

Here is all you need to know about baby proofing the house.

Doors

Use doorstops and door holders to protect babies' tiny fingers.

Electrical outlets, cords, and appliances

Put safety plugs or outlet covers over unused outlets or block it with furniture.
Hide electrical cords behind furniture.
Keep Iron, toasters, and other appliances unplugged and out of reach.

Preventing falls

Never leave your baby alone on beds or sofas or in any other spot she could fall from.
Use window guards, window stops, and safety netting on windows.
Install safety gates at the bottom and top of your stairs.

Fire prevention

Install a smoke detector
Check batteries in smoke detectors monthly.
Constantly review your fire escape route

Car

Keep children in rear-facing car seat; until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat.
Install car seat properly, in rear-facing position in middle of backseat.

Changing table

Use the safety strap and don't leave your baby unattended.
Keep toiletries out of your baby's reach but within yours.

Crib

Don't use soft, fluffy bedding such as pillows under sleeping or napping babies.
When baby gets up on hands and knees, remove mobiles and hanging toys.
When baby pulls up, put mattress in lowest position.
Don't leave toys in crib when your baby is sleeping.

No Go Areas

Keep knives, breakables, heavy pots, and other dangerous items locked up or out of reach.
Control access to unsafe areas with safety gates and door locks
Secure the refrigerator with the key, every refrigerator comes with one
Don't use tablecloths or placemats — babies can pull them and anything on them down.

Furniture

Anchor a flat-screen TV with safety straps or mount it on a wall so it can't fall on your baby.
Keep heavy items that can topple on low, sturdy furniture, pushed back as far as possible.

Poison-proofing

Move cleaning agents, medicines, hand sanitizer, toiletries, laundry soap, and other potentially toxic items out of reach or lock them up.


Toilet

Install a toilet-seat lock to prevent drowning.

Toys

The safest toys:

Are securely put together and in good condition.
Have no buttons, eyes, beads, ribbons, or other pieces a baby could pull off and choke on.
Are not too heavy (if a toy would harm a baby if it fell on him, it's too heavy).
Have no strings or cords longer than 12 inches.
Are appropriate for a baby's age and physical skills, toy comes with age appropriate descriptions.
Can't be hung (or anything else) around a baby's neck.

Water safety

Don't leave babies unattended even for a moment in or near a swimming pool, jacuzzi or other water.
Erect fencing around pools at least 4 feet high with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
Don't leave even small amounts of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids in buckets or other containers unattended round the house.

Window safety

Cut off or tie up dangling cords on drapes and blinds.
Mark sliding doors and other expanses of glass with colourful stickers.
Keep your baby away from open windows and balcony.

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