Baby proofing always has been a personal essential in my home.  I think that if it’s dangerous and within their reach, it’s best to cover it up.  My son would get into everything and anything as a beginner walker.  I had to lock my cabinets and drawers all around the kitchen.  Now I have two of them and I thought for sure I would have to do the same.  To my surprise, my daughter is not as intrigued by the Tupperware as my son.  So it brought me to this week’s post, on how important is Baby Proofing your house?

            Here are six Baby Proofing tips with Toddlers.  These are simple and great ways to help you get started. Along with ideas to teach your kids to   understand the “Danger Zones” within your own home.

 

#1. Cover up those outlets!

            Baby’s love the electrical outlets.  Both of my kids were very attracted to this area in the house.  They would try to stick their little fingers in the holes.  That was one of the first things I did;  covered them up.  My son is almost 4 so he has lost interest in them, but now I have my daughter who is very interested!  It’s best to cover these up at all times.  If you have phone jacks, or units in your house I like to use clear moving tape or colored duct tape to cover these.  This is definitely a Danger Zone in my book.

 

#2.  Cabinets and drawers.

            My son would go into my kitchen and take out every piece of Tupperware I owned, with lids and all! In the beginning, I used to think, “oh how cute” I started getting tired of picking them up, and of course all the mess.  Lids started to disappear and it would drive me nuts which led me to lock all the cabinets in my house.  My daughter walks right into my kitchen now so I decided to make her very own Tupper station.  Where I put old tuppers and lids in her room to play with.  So far, so good.  She doesn’t really venture off into the kitchen and I didn’t have to lock up my cabinets this time around. 

 

#3. Bathroom doors

            I don’t know what it is about the bathroom, but toddlers go bananas for this room.  My son is often in there to go potty (but my daughter of course loves to follow him in there).  Now my son is learning to turn off the light and close the door once he’s finished.  I keep these doors closed at ALL times. 

 

#4. Corner Protectors

            I never really used these on my tables however; some people have so much space in their home that it is truly necessary.  I know that kids can really hurt themselves, especially when learning to walk.  Honestly I think once my son started walking we eliminated the coffee and end tables entirely from our house.  So it’s truly whatever works best for you and your home. 

 

#5.  Baby gates

            With my first child I used a baby gate to seal off the kitchen.  Along with locking the cabinets, I really just didn’t want him in the kitchen at all.  These gates only work for a short time until they figure out how to climb over them (like my son did).  So with my daughter, even though we have more space now, I decided not to use them.  I think he would only teach her to climb over it anyway LOL.

 

#6. Labeling “Danger Zones”

            I like to makes my own flash cards and signs for my kids but I know that it can be very time consuming.  You can buy signs that say “Danger” or “Safety First” at the dollar store or school supply stores.  It’s ideal to Label doors and other “Danger Zones” with bright colored paper or markers.  I think this is an awesome tool to help your kids recognize colors and letters. While you protect them you can also teach them. 

 

            Of course like anything else, baby proofing is a preference and depends on you, your kids, and environment.    Teaching your kids about the possible “Danger Zones” around them is very important.  Not everything in the house is theirs nor is it safe.  With my first child I was a little more adamant on baby proofing, with my second I learned how to simplify the process to protect them. 

 

            I hope that these tips were helpful and that you will use them for your future baby proofing needs.  Remember to share my blog so that we can pass along this information to other mommies, so that together we can strive for mommy success! 🙂 

XOXO,

Reina