ADULT Safety When Baby-Proofing Your Home
Last time we took a look at some child safety basics as we’re preparing for our upcoming baby. However, what is often forgotten is adult safety. We don’t want to get our home all ready for our baby and make our home unsafe for us at the same time. Let’s take a look at how we have to look at both sides of of the picture as we continue creating our home nest.
Guard The Stairs
As we look forward to the time our baby begins to crawl and walk, our stairs becomes more of a danger with every passing day. We plan on keeping our baby upstairs in our main living area, so keeping the top of the stairs gated off is important. Don’t forget that having a baby gate can be just as dangerous for you as not having a baby gate can be for your child. I’ve seen so many people trip and fall over difficult gates. Don’t skimp on a cheap baby gate that you have to step over. Ideally, get a gate that opens up like a door so you can pass through safely. The best case scenario would be to get an actual baby door or something like a Dutch door installed that allows seamless access to you and posing no tripping hazard to anyone.
Watch Your Feet
Rugs and carpets can go a long way in protecting your baby when they take a fall on the floor, but have you considered the danger these may bring? Oftentimes when I’m in people’s homes, I find the wrinkled edges and upturned corners of rugs are tripping hazards. It’s not uncommon for me to see people tripping, and sometimes even falling, when a rug slides or when they catch the loose corner of a rug. By using rug pads and grippers, we can make sure that rugs stay where they are placed, remain flat, and don’t slide under our feet.
Light Things Up
As we set up baby gates, add rugs, lock cabinets up, adjust furniture, we need to make sure we know where we’re going. It can be totally different navigating a baby-proofed home and we need to make sure we can see where we’re going when it’s dark. We are adding automatic night-lights throughout our home so that we can see our feet at night without having to turn any overhead lights on. Whether you are expecting a baby or not, don’t underestimate the added safety a few small lights can bring to your home at night.
Embrace The Journey
Preparing your home for a baby is more than just a checklist; it’s about creating a space where your family can grow and thrive safely. It’s a labor of love, reflecting the care and thought you're putting into welcoming your new arrival.
As we set out with you on this incredible new journey of parenthood, these preparations are the first of many steps we'll take for our child's wellbeing. In the midst all the securing, covering, gating, and padding, we can’t forget to take a moment to appreciate the beautiful journey ahead of us. Our home is about to be filled with more love and joy than we ever imagined possible! Being prepared is the best way to make sure we can enjoy it together.
