Lifestyle

A Checklist for When Your Baby Starts Walking



It’s
a momentous occasion for adult and baby alike when your little one starts
standing on their own two feet (literally). However, it’s also an occasion that
has you re-evaluating your entire home and everything in it, with a highly
critical eye. The problem with having a baby that starts walking (when it’s
your first one) is that you can encounter problems with things you probably never
even expected to be a problem. Because if there’s one thing you can count on a walking
baby to do, it’s to seek adventure and seek out everything within your home and
turn it into a potential worry.

So,
if you’re unsure and preparing for your baby’s first steps, here’s a checklist
for making sure that your baby’s adventuring can always be safe.

·       
Secure Everything

Everything
that you can, anyway! If you have tall and heavy furniture, make sure the
furniture is secured to the floor or the wall. Make sure nothing on shelves can
easily fall off, or you may be better completely
decluttering
and putting away any excessive ornaments or items for now
(just until your baby is older!). Secure down any items which can be moved,
grabbed, or dragged by your baby, such as the kitchen chairs or even large rugs
that could slip or move.

·       
Lock Up Your Cupboards

Ensure
that anything hazardous is securely locked away, like all your
cleaning products
within your kitchen cupboard or any bathroom toiletries.
Secure all your cupboard doors so that your baby cannot pull them open, especially
in the kitchen.

Even
if you don’t keep anything hazardous in your cupboards within your baby’s
reach, it’s still a good idea to stop your baby from being able to rummage
around inside any cupboard so you can have peace of mind and not have to watch them
in case they open all the doors.

·       
Install Your Baby Gates

Baby
gates are a must, both for your child’s own safety and for giving you the
freedom to have at least one room that won’t be ransacked by an exploring
child. If there are any home areas, which you would rather your baby didn’t
venture into, then having the right
baby gate is an
essential addition.

There are many
different types, so make sure you choose something that suits your home, needs,
and budget.

·       
Check Your Cord Situation

Secure any loose wires or electrical cords you have which lay
about, such as behind the TV. Also, be sure to check your entire home for any
dangling cords which you may usually overlook. This could be a curtain tie, a
blind cord handing, or a light pull cord. Be sure to fix everything out of
reach.

·       
Clear Any Small Hazards

Babies will pick everything up, and then what do they do? They put
it in their mouth. This means anything and everything has become a choking hazard if they are
free to explore.

Be sure to go through your home with a good eye for anything which
can become a choking hazard and make sure it’s completely cleared away, out of
their reach.

Final Thoughts

It can be daunting preparing your home for a wandering child, but
as long as you make all the necessary checks, get advice, and prepare ahead of
time, your home will always be a safe one. 


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