Baby proofing your apartment is not often on the agenda when constructing or decorating houses. However, you should consciously make moves to baby proof your apartment for the safety of your baby.
This is a decision you should make and execute before you bring a baby into this world. I was very lucky to have a friendly neighbor who was an interior decorator and mother of four.
Upon attending my Easter Pregnancy Announcement in our home the previous weekend, she asked to see me.
It was during the meeting that I got my first real education on the advantages of baby proofing an apartment. She had photos and videos of exciting designs which were very affordable and effective.
Within the next few weeks, I carried out extensive research on baby proofing an apartment. By the time my first baby was born, she came into a home that was adequately baby proofed.
Baby Proofing Your Apartment – What Does it Mean?
Baby proofing an apartment involves taking conscious efforts to make the home safe for a baby.
The biggest advantage of baby proofing an apartment is that it reduces domestic accidents to the barest minimum.
In this article, we will discuss all you need to know about baby proofing your apartment and the tips to consider. Let’s get started – shall we?
20 Tips to Baby Proofing your Apartment
Having a baby is one of the most exciting times of your life, and it involves major changes to your life and home.
In this session, you will find out that baby proofing is not all about installing gadgets. Sometimes it involves conscious actions and activities to protect your new born.
Below, we have highlighted 20 tips for baby proofing your apartment. Check them out!
Tips to Consider to Baby Proof your Apartment
In the Living Room and Bed Room
- Install Baby Gates in the Home: Baby gates help to restrict the baby’s movement to a safe area in the home, especially for crawling babies.
- Create Play Areas: There should be a designated play area for your baby. This is where you should place their toys and other play items.
- Use Bumper Cards or Sheets: Bumper Cards and Sheets help to prevent your baby from colliding with sharp edges like tables, shelves, etc.
- Place Locks on Cabinets and Drawers: All cabinets and cupboards in the house should have locks to prevent the baby from accessing them.
- Clear the Baby Crib: Ensure that there are no toys, blankets, or pillows in the crib when the baby is asleep. This can lead to sudden infant death syndrome.
- Make Sure All Furniture is Stable: Always double-check to make sure the cot, table, and chairs in the home are stable. Babies like to lean for support, especially as they learn to stand and crawl. Ensuring the stability of the furniture will prevent falling hazards.
Around the Stairs and Staircase
- Install Non-Slip Mats: Non-slip mats prevent your baby from slipping especially when their feet are wet.
- Install Baby Stair Gates: Stair gates prevent the baby from attempting to climb up or down the stairs on their own.
In the Toilet and Bathroom
- Always Test Water Temperature: You should never assume or depend on instincts when it comes to this. Always test the temperature of the water before placing your baby in a bathtub.
- Install Toilet Lock: Toilet locks prevent finger smashing and accidental drowning, which is a measure cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
- Keep the Bath Tub Covered: Get a cover for your bathtub and ensure it is covered whenever it is not in use.
Around the House
- Have a Locked First Aid Box: Always keep medicines and other medication in a locked box, out of reach of the baby.
- Keep Away All Appliances: After use, always keep away appliances like pressing irons to avoid burns and strangulation.
- Move Flowers and Plants Away: Flowers and plants would not be within reach of the baby. Most flowers and plants are poisonous and your baby may be attracted to consume them.
- Keep Electrical Outlets Covered: Always keep electrical outlets covered to prevent electrocution. Babies are very inquisitive and may stick objects into the electrical outlets.
- Eliminate Hazardous Toys: Toys are not toys! Not every toy is appropriate for your baby. Ensure that only toys recommended for your baby’s age is around your baby.
- Ensure There Are No Nylon Bags: Under no circumstance should there be a presence of nylon bags around the home. This can cause suffocation and lead to sudden infant death syndrome.
- Protect Your Fire Place: Always provide a shield around your fireplace. All the sharp ceramic edges should be covered also.
- Fire Extinguisher is a Must-Have: Ensure that there is an adequately serviced fire extinguisher in the home at all times. Make sure the fire extinguisher is out of reach of the baby.
- Invest in a Baby Monitor: A baby monitor is a cool gadget that I consider a must-have for mothers and caregivers. It helps to monitor the baby at all times. Chose a cordless monitor over the corded ones.
Baby Proofing Cost – How Much Does It Cost to baby Proof a House
Baby proofing a house is very important and effective, but one major concern is the cost.
Below, we have analyzed the average costs to baby proof a house. Ensure that you engage the services of a professional.
According to experts, the average cost of hiring a baby proofing professional is under $100. However, you should be aware that several factors would determine your overall cost.
The most important of these is the type of apartment. For instance, it will cost more to baby proof a house with a staircase, than one without it.
Baby proofing a staircase area involves installing a pressure-release gate and banister guards. Depending on the size and type, the gate alone would cost $60 to $100.
Estimated Cost of Baby Proofing a House
According to Early Experts, the average cost of baby proofing your house is as follows:
- Consultation Fee for a Baby Proofing Professional: $48 – $90
- Cost of Baby Proofing 2-Bedroom Apartment: $300 – $600
- Cost of Baby proofing a Storey Building: $600 – $1500
Other Important things to Baby Proof
In most cases, many couples think that only staircases and toilets need baby proofing. Well, this is not the case.
When preparing to welcome a baby, you must ensure to baby proof every item and area that poses a threat.
Below, we have highlighted other important things to baby proof in the home. Check them out!
6 Important Things to Baby Proof in Your Apartment
Baby Proof Lamp
You may be wondering to yourself, how can I baby proof a lamp? Well, looking for a good position out of reach of the baby is the first step. To baby proof a lamp, you should:
- Anchor the furniture on which the lamp is standing (or the lamp itself) to the wall
- Hide the cable behind the furniture, out of sight of the baby
- Place the lamp far away from the reach of the baby
- Make sure the lamp sockets are secured at all times to prevent electrocution
Baby Proof Bed Frame
Your baby will always be around the bed – both theirs and yours. So, it would be a wise decision for you to baby proof the bed frames.
To do this, you need to have foam or bumper protectors installed at the edges. This way the sharp edges are not dangerous or pose any harm to the baby.
You should consider baby proofing your baby’s crib frame and your bed frame.
Baby Proof Wall Corners
Wall corners can pose a very big threats to your baby. As you know, babies are always bumping into things and walls.
As they attempt to crawl, stand and walk, they will always bump into things and walls. Trust me when I say you don’t want your baby bumping onto the corner of a wall.
To prevent this, make sure to install wall and edge guards across the apartment. These guards which are made out of soft materials prevent damage on impact.
Baby Proofing Chairs
It is important that the chairs in the house should be baby proofed. This is because the baby will always lean for support on the chair as they attempt to stand or walk.
Below are some of the tips to consider when baby proofing a chair, check them out!
- Ensure that the legs of the chair are firm to the ground
- Place the chair for support to the wall
- Baby proof the edges of the chair by placing edge guards around it
Baby Proofing Table
Just like the chair, you should ensure that the table is adequately baby proofed. However, as you know, a table is often more stable than a chair.
But you need to ensure that there is stability and the table cannot be easily moved. If it can be easily moved, then it should be pushed towards the wall.
Lastly, the edges of the table should have edge guards around them. The edges of a table can pose a great threat to the baby.
How to Baby Proof Cords
Yes, you need to baby proof your cords at all times. To baby proof cords, you need to shorten the cords by rolling them together and placing them up.
To put it in place, you need to secure it with a tape or zip tie. You should also consider taking a zip tie in your bag when traveling or using a hotel.
Where ever you are with a baby, ensure that the cords are baby proofed at all times.
