Baby proofing { Cedar Rapids newborn photos }

Baby proofing is the process of making a home or environment safe for a young child and it can sometimes feel very overwhelming for new parents! Some parents choose to baby proof before their baby is born or when their child becomes mobile. Whichever you choose, be sure to read the list below so you don’t overlook some common areas that need baby proofing!

• Cover electrical outlets with safety caps or install child proof outlets.
• Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Be sure that you are choosing the correct type of baby gate and installing correctly, especially when installing at the top of stairs. Some baby gates are not meant for top of stair use. 
• Lock cabinets and drawers that contain hazardous items or that you don’t want your child getting into. There are many types of locks on the market, so choose what works best for your cabinets and doors. 
• Place protective covers on sharp edges and corners of furniture and be sure any heavy furniture that can easily tip is anchored to the walls. (You can read more about tipovers here.)
• Remove choking hazards and any breakable items from reach. (Goodbye cute decor!)
• Secure loose rugs and mats to prevent newly walking little ones from slipping and falling.
• Install (or check batteries in) smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Make sure all toys are age-appropriate and free from small parts.
• If you have a fireplace, consider what you may need to do to keep your mobile child safe. Luckily most new builds require oven glass fronts for electric fireplaces, but be aware that older homes can have glass that remains hot enough to burn, even hours after you turn it off.

It’s important to regularly check and update your baby proofing measures as your child grows and their abilities change. Things that weren’t of concern for a crawler, may become an issue as a child starts to walk, run, and climb. Did we miss something important? Leave it in the comments below!