Walking, running, climbing, grabbing, and pulling—it’s all new to your curious-crawly toddler. However, protecting your courageous explorer on his or her fearless quests around the house is vital.
Here are twelve tips for toddler proofing your home…
1. Electric Outlets
Electrical outlets and attached wires are serious electrocution and choking hazards if they insert their little fingers into outlets or get entangled in loose wires. Purchase outlet covers as soon as your toddler starts moving around on his/her own.
2. Bookshelves
A grabby toddler does have the strength to topple a free standing bookshelf simply by using the piece of furniture for stability to stand up. Either screw these units to the walls or remove them from your house until the child is old enough.
3. Kitchen Utensils
Sharp kitchen utensils, like knives and forks can injure a curious toddler bent on exploring your kitchen counter. Always keep sharp kitchen utensils locked drawers and out of the reach of children.
4. Toilet
Don’t be fooled, your toilet contains enough water for a toddler to drown so keep that toilet seat down and latched.
5. Stove
It only takes a split second for a curious toddler to grab at a pot on the stove or to touch a burner and succumb to a major scalding or burn. Make a point of watching kids closely in the kitchen and of turning pot handles in.
6. Household Cleaners
Cleaning supplies not secured away in cupboards can be ingested or absorbed by the skin or eyes if left out. Make sure these are always stored in locked areas and out of the reach of children.
7. Medications
Rogue medications can be swallowed by a curious toddler in seconds so keep them off lower or exposed shelves and always out of reach.
8. Dryer
Large gaping appliances, like your front-loading dryer, can be dangerous if an unsupervised toddler gets trapped inside and suffocates. Make sure you lock the door to your laundry room so your toddler can’t access it without your direct supervision.
9. Blinds
Venetian blinds and blind cords are a strangulation risk so make sure to wind up those cords.
10. Wastebaskets
Do your hall and bathroom wastebaskets have lids? If not, think of all the harmful debris and germs your child could swallow. Make sure you have a garbage cans with lids everywhere in your home.
11. Reclining Furniture
Recliners, when opened and snapped shut, are serious choking and injury hazards for small children.
12. Plastic Bags
Plastic bags of any kind—grocery, garbage, and even small food storage bags can result in suffocation if a toddler positions a bag over his or her mouth and nose.
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