Is your apartment ready for your baby to move in? Check off the steps on this list to ensure your apartment is baby-proofed before the big day arrives.
The months before your new baby arrives are exciting times, but they are also busy.
There is so much that must take place in your life to make your world safe for your little ones. This includes your living space.
Is your apartment ready for your baby to move in?
Check off the tasks on this list to ensure your apartment is baby-proofed before the big day arrives.
Step 1: Scan Your Apartment for Dangers
To prepare your apartment for your baby’s arrival, you need to get yourself in baby position — on your hands and knees. When you get low, you can better see the dangers that a baby could get into.
Don’t forget to start from the ground up and go room by room looking for possible dangers.
Keep a notepad and paper to make a list of these dangers and possible solutions as you brainstorm and scan the rooms.
Once you’re sure you’ve identified all the dangers in each room, scan the perimeter and find threats there.
Now, you may need to buy a few things to adjust your apartment for your baby. But instead of buying them one by one, you can purchase a baby-proofing kit with all the necessities.
Step 2: Baby-Proof Your Electronics
Electronics are some of the biggest dangers that you will find in your apartment. Shock, strangulation, and falling electronics are all hazards.
The first step to protect your baby from shock is to place outlet covers in any outlets not being used.
You will want to secure any TVs that can potentially get pushed over. You can choose to either mount your TV to a wall or strap it down to a stand.
You may want to consider appliance locks to keep your baby safe from opening the oven or fridge doors.
Too many loose cords within reach put your baby at risk of strangulation. The use of cord managers can help alleviate this fear.
Also, look for lamps or any electronic device that could be pulled down by a hanging cord and land on your baby.
Step 3: Secure Chemicals
The next task on the list is to protect your baby from household chemicals. The best way to do this is to keep them out of reach of children.
You should keep all your cleaning supplies in one spot, either in a cabinet with a baby-proof lock or at the top of a closet.
You should keep toiletries high on the shelves or in another cabinet with a baby-proof lock. You’ll need a lot of these baby-proof locks, so make sure you have them in stock!
Also, make sure to keep alcohol out of reach.
If you aren’t sure about which items can be poisonous to your little one, read this article on poison safety.
Step 4: Buffer Sharp Objects
Since your baby will have unsure footing for at least the first couple of years of their life, you must do your best to get rid of any sharp angles.
That way, when they do fall (which will be a regular occurrence), there will be fewer obstacles to cause them severe harm.
While a set of glass tables may have been stylish pre-parenthood, you should consider purchasing new tables for your home.
If you have any hard furniture with pointy edges, line them with pool noodles or corner guards to buffer the edges for your baby’s protection.
Sharp objects, like knives and scissors, should be kept in a locked drawer or cabinet.
Step 5: Stabilize Your Furniture
When babies start to learn how to pull themselves up into a standing position, they will grab whatever is closest to them for leverage.
If their chosen object or piece of furniture is not stable, it can fall onto your baby.
To prevent your child from harm, any bookshelves, dressers, or floor-length mirrors should be sturdy.
If you have any doubt, secure them to the wall with brackets, or put them away until your child can walk on their own.
Step 6: Block Entry to Danger Zones
There may be some places in your house that you don’t want your baby to venture into. For example, the office or bathroom may be areas that you wish to block your baby from entirely.
You can either install a lock on the door or put up a baby gate to keep them from entering.
If you have windows that your child could potentially access, it is wise to put a bar in them to keep them closed.
Another area that should be addressed is the front and back door. Again, the best way to keep your child from wandering out of your apartment is to install a lock high up on the door where little hands can’t access it.
Conclusion
After completing this list, you’ll have a safe and sound place for your little one to live.
While many think that the arrival of a baby means you need to upgrade to a house, that’s not the case. You can comfortably live in an apartment and keep your baby safe, provided that you take the steps listed above.
[Insert client bio]
Caitlin Sinclair is the property manager at The Beverly. With five years of property management experience and many more in customer service, she has a passion for her community and loves making The Beverly the place to call home.
