Childproofing Your Apartment

Just when you think you’ve gotten down the care of your baby, self mobility comes into play! Now is when the real fun — and potential hazards begin. Take the guesswork out of what your child can get into and don’t give her the chance. Read on for our top childproofing tips.

Electricity
There are a number of products on the market to make your electrical outlets safe for kids. Whether you opt for plug caps that go directly into the prong holes, screw-in adapters that slide over the holes when a plug is removed or a cover that envelopes the entire outlet, don’t give your child the opportunity to stick something into the wall outlet. Likewise, keep all dangling cords out of reach and secure them to the wall using cord protectors that keep them flush with the floor and wall. Locks for washers, dryers, refrigerators and other appliances are also available.

Kitchen
There is a lot of potential danger for a crawler or toddler in the kitchen. Get used to turning all pan handles inward so curious hands can’t reach up to pull scalding food down and use only back burners when you can. You might consider a range shield that will make it hard for a child to touch anything on the stovetop. You can also get covers for burner handles, to keep kids from turning them on or just pull off the handles and put them out of reach when you’re not in the kitchen.
Keep all small appliances such as toasters, food processors and blenders away from the edge of the counter and make sure their cords are unplugged and stowed when not in use.
Anything sharp, chemical, toxic, breakable or small and hard (candies, nuts) can be swallowed and needs to be up high out of reach or in locked drawers/cabinets. Also make sure that plastic bags are stowed out of your child’s reach, as they present a suffocation hazard.

Bathroom
A lot of toxic things are stored in the bathroom — from cleaners to medication. Be sure to store any potentially harmful item up high or in a securely locked cabinet. Fingernail polish remover, germ-killing sprays and tweezers can all pose a serious threat to a curious child. You might also want to put a lock on the toilet lid to prevent your child from falling in or playing in the water. The most important rule of all in bathroom safety: never leave your child unattended in the bathtub.

Bedrooms
In your baby’s room, and throughout the apartment, make sure that all outlets are covered and cords are wrapped. Store toys in easy-access bins or a toy box with a non-slamming lid on it. Put all diaper-changing supplies in a hanging caddy above the changing table, or some other out-of-your-child’s-reach location. You, on the other hand, need to have easy access to supplies since it is dangerous, even for a moment, to ever leave your child alone on the changing table.
In other bedrooms, make sure that all coins, jewelry, cufflinks, sewing supplies and other potential choking hazards are safely stowed out of reach, along with scarves and ties. In any room that collects paper clips, staples or other office supplies, be sure they are also put out of reach.

Furniture
Any piece in your apartment that your child could climb on and possibly tip over on himself should be secured to a wall with anchors — especially bureaus and bookcases. Also look for corners on tables and desks and apply rubber or plastic edges to them.

Common areas
Your family or living room is the location for lots of good times, but also requires childproofing. Make sure that all plants are out of reach, since many of them are poisonous and their pots are breakable. Also put any knick knacks or breakable items out of reach. Even innocuous decorative items can pose a hazard. That cute sculpture the office gave you seems innocent enough until your kid finds a way to break off pieces of it and put them in her mouth. Television and stereo equipment should be out of reach as well, with all cords wrapped and tucked out of sight.

Doors, windows and stairs
Keeping your child from dangerous areas in your apartment is the best way to prevent accidents. Make sure you keep doors and windows locked and put childproof handles on the doors of rooms you don’t want your child accessing. To keep little fingers from getting hurt, you can install a U-shaped pinch guard on doors and closets. While you’re checking your windows, make sure all blind or drapery cords are wrapped snugly out of reach. Install permanent gates at the bottom of staircases ascending off the ground floor and at the top of stairs to a lower level.
When childproofing your apartment, you have to think and move like one. Get down on the floor and crawl around. Anything you can reach or run into your child can too. Having a little one on the move requires lots of extra vigilance, so do your work before they get mobile.