You Must Crawl Around the House Before Your Child Does.
New parents are often told that they should protect their homes from the baby, but when they start to think about it, they do it while standing upright, five or six feet off the ground. The most important step is the one that is usually overlooked: the scan test.
Yeah, that means getting on all fours and pretending to be a curious baby on a children’s expedition. You have to open drawers, look for clumps of hair and small items that might be fun to chew on, and see what tiny crevices you can shove your fingers into. You will be able to identify any potential hazards from your child’s perspective and correct them before your nodule starts to move.
Here are some things to look out for when taking a scan test:
- Access to radiators and heaters. Decorate them with furniture. Replace the old skirting board covers with a new perforated steel construction .
- Electrical outlets and cords. Cover the sockets with covers or block them with furniture. Hide the cords with a wire cover .
- Cabinet doors. Close any cabinets or drawers containing chemicals or small parts. BabyCenter makes a great suggestion to leave at least one cabinet door unlocked and fill it with interesting, child-safe items to study: plastic storage containers, wooden spoons, foil pie plates, and empty yogurt containers.
- Access to the fireplace. You can cover the hole with a magnetic board so that the child can play as he or she grows up.
- Pet food and water. It’s a difficult question. You may just need to be extra vigilant when your child approaches him. However, they do sell these sensory pet bowls .
- Rugs. Place non-slip rugs underneath to prevent falling.
- Sharp corners on coffee tables. Put on protective devices on them or, if it is too aesthetically pleasing, take a round table instead.
- Houseplants. You may need to place them outside for a while.
After the scan test, you’ll see your home from a whole new perspective, and it might even encourage you to wipe those skirting boards down for the first time. Although, probably not. You have a child.