This week, I’m thrilled to introduce one of my NAPO colleagues, Deb Lee, as my guest blogger.
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Everyone wants the best for their children, and as a new parent, your protective instincts will likely kick in well before you meet your new baby. That means getting your home up to snuff for when your little person starts living in what used to be an adult only environment.
There’s a lot to consider like when to baby proof and what exactly you should do. Here are a few tips to get you started.
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When to Baby Proof
- Before Baby Comes Home
There’s a great advantage to baby proofing your home before your new little one comes home. First, you get to cross it off your list of many to-do’s. When a new baby comes home, you’re going to be busy and sleep-deprived, so why not get it done when you still have your wits about you?
One thing you must do before baby gets home is ensure that the crib is securely put together. A safe and secure sleeping environment is essential. And, while those bumpers are super cute, they can be a hazard (i.e., cause suffocation), so resist the temptation to use them.
- After Baby Comes Home
There’s nothing wrong with getting ready after your baby comes home. You’ll have a good sense of what your schedule is like and you can plan to attack priority areas. You might also have family members and friends who are willing to help out with these tasks.
Top Five Baby Proofing Tips
Once it’s time to baby proof, here are five things to consider:
- Get outlet covers for each room in your home.
- Use magnetic locks for lower cabinets and drawers.
- Remove unsafe plants.
- Install locks on your toilets, refrigerator, stove, and front-loading washer/dryer. Add door knob covers, too.
- Keep medications high out of reach. Go one step further by putting them in a locked box.
*Bonus Tip*
Secure all furniture to the wall when possible. When your toddler starts pulling himself up, you want to make sure the furniture doesn’t topple over. Add padding to sharp edges as well.
Deb Lee, a Certified Professional Organizer® and the founder of D. Allison Lee LLC, was recently named the Professional Organizer of the Year by the National Association of Professional Organizers, Washington D.C. Metro chapter. Visit her blog, Organize to Revitalize, for organizing and time management tips.
