Gone are the days of uncovered electrical sockets and cleaning solutions under the kitchen sink. Here are a few guidelines to help you make your home safe for your baby and to enable him to enjoy as much freedom as possible.
- Lock all potentially poisonous substances out of reach and out of sight of your baby.
- Buy products (especially cleaning materials, poison and medication) with childproof packaging.
- Don't leave your baby alone in the car or anywhere in the house (this includes a playpen).
- Tie cords to blinds or curtains up so that your baby cannot become entangled in them.
- Move electrical cords out of reach.
- Don't leave your baby alone with a pet.
- Fix burglar bars to all windows that can open.
- Never store non-food products in empty food containers (eg paraffin in a jam jar).
- Secure or pack away all unstable furniture or bookshelves that your baby could pull down.
- Ensure that your baby can't pull himself up in his cot. Remove bulky toys, pillows and bumper pads that your baby can climb onto.
- Keep small objects out of reach - at this age your baby explores the environment by putting things into his mouth.
- Barricade the top and bottom of stairs.
- Put up protective grills or other barriers infront of fireplaces, heaters and stoves.
- Keep plastic bags out of your baby's reach.
- Lock alcohol out of reach.