How to Babyproof Your Home

Babies love to explore their surroundings. Before your baby starts to explore, make sure the surroundings are safe. It’s also a good idea to get trained in first aid and CPR so you’ll know what to do should something go wrong. (See the Quamut guide to First Aid & CPR at Barnes & Noble stores and online at www.quamut.com.)

Babyproofing Your Home

Babyproofing your home usually requires a very thorough reorganization. It can help to get down on your hands and knees to survey the room from a baby’s point of view.

Anything with edges: Cover with corner guards.
Appliances: If possible, keep them out of reach.
Bathrooms: Put toilet guards on each toilet. Unplug and store all bathroom appliances safely after use.
Cabinets: Put latches on all cabinet doors and never leave cabinets unlatched.
Electrical outlets: Cover all unused electrical outlets.
Floors: Fix splinters, nails, carpet tacks, and loose tiles.
Fireplaces: Block with heat-resistant grilles.
Furniture: Move furniture away from windows. Remove loose knobs. Put away glass-topped tables. When your baby is old enough to pull up to standing (about 12 months), lock in place any furniture she might pull on, such as dressers, bookcases, and cabinets.
Gates: Put one gate at the top of any stairs and another gate three steps from the bottom. Gate doorways as necessary. Don’t use accordion gates, as babies can get stuck in them.
Plants: Be sure that you have no poisonous plants in your house and that all potted plants are out of reach.
Radiators: Put guards around them.
Railings: Make sure that none are loose or have gaps that are 5" or more wide.
Tablecloths: Remove them—babies pull them down.
Windows: Put guards over any windows above the ground floor.

Keep Out of Reach

Ashtrays
Curtain cords
Electrical cords
Exercise equipment
Kitchen hazards
Matches and lighters
Office supplies
Plastic bags
Purses and bags
Razors
Sewing supplies
Loose strings or chains
Trash baskets

Lock Away

Alcohol
Garage items (gasoline, lighter fluid)
Guns (if they must be in the house at all)
Household products (bleach, cleaning spray, dishwashing liquid, drain cleaner)
Medicine
Toiletries and cosmetics
Vitamins

Additional Household Dangers

Danger		What to Do
Animals		Never leave your baby alone with even the gentlest pets. Animals can see babies as prey.
Cigarette smoke		Don’t smoke inside the house or near your baby. Don’t allow anyone else to smoke in the house.
Lead		Have your home checked for lead, including in tap water and under paint layers. Don’t let your baby put newspaper pages in his mouth.
Pesticides		Keep household pesticides locked away, and use the least toxic brand available. Don’t use glue traps.
Walkers		Most experts advise against letting your baby use a walker. Walkers impede development and cause accidents.

Babyproofing Your Car

Car accidents cause more infant deaths each year than illness does. Always strap your baby into a car seat when in a car. Never take your baby out of the car seat while the car is moving.

Location: Place the car seat in the middle of the back seat. Never place it on the front passenger seat, a swiveling seat, a pull-down seat, or a rear-facing seat.
Car seats and baby size: For babies less than 20 pounds and less than one year old, buy a rear-facing car seat. Babies over 20 pounds and a year old may use a front-facing car seat.
Certification: Buy only car seats that meet the standards of the AAP, CPSC, and JPMA.
Hand-me-downs: Avoid hand-me-down car seats; they may have wear and tear you can’t see.

Never leave your baby alone in a closed or locked car. The temperature in a closed car can rise to dangerous levels very quickly, even on mild days.

Installing a Car Seat

About 80% of all car seats are used improperly—always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. The most common mistakes include:

Car seat isn’t fastened firmly in the seat
Car seat is too big for the baby
Car seat harness is not attached over the baby’s body or is attached loosely or incorrectly
Harness doesn’t fit the baby (you should be able to fit only one finger between your baby’s collarbone and the harness)
Seat belt is not locked or is locked incorrectly