Preparing Your Home for a Toddler

We have some very great friends whose gorgeous baby has turned into an even more gorgeous toddler. No longer can the baby be placed on a mat and stay there. Within seconds she’s up and off so it seems the perfect time to share this article about how to prepare your home for a toddler!

As your baby matures into a toddler, it is time to take the appropriate steps to toddler proof your home, just as you baby proofed it in the past. After all, toddlers will be a lot more active and will get themselves into just about everything around the house as they begin to walk and explore. Therefore, you really need to look at every room closely to search for potential hazards and remove them. To make this process a bit easier and to make sure you don’t miss anything, check out the tips below.

Make Your Windows Safe

Toddlers that get too close to windows can end up falling out by accident, so you definitely want to be sure that your windows are secure. Replace any windows that are damaged, particularly if there are any windows that have screens that are loose or have tears in them. You can also purchase items from Teal Products that are designed to open and close your windows with greater ease while ensuring your toddler will not be able to get the window open on their own. Make sure the window locks work, and make sure the glass on the windows is tempered, too. If it isn’t tempered glass, you can apply security film or have new glass installed to protect your baby in case the glass ever breaks.

Keep Dangerous Items Out of Your Toddler’s Reach

When you have a toddler, it is imperative that you put away any dangerous items so that your child does not end up getting to them and consuming them or getting hurt with them. These include cleaning products and medications that can be poisonous and should be stored in high cabinets with effective childproof locks to keep the doors closed at all times. Other dangerous items include cords, electrical outlets, and cosmetics. Also, it is a good idea to avoid the use of extension cords, as these could cause electrocution or strangulation if a toddler were to get their hands on them.

Keep Stairs Safe

Another major risk to your toddler is the stairs in your home. As your toddler learns to walk, there is an increased risk of falls down stairs, so purchase baby gates and place them both at the top and bottom of any stairs throughout your home to keep your toddler from being able to access them.

Protect Your Child from the Oven and Stove

Finally, serious burns can occur if your child were to have access to the stove and the oven, so make sure that you use a stove guard. This will prevent your toddler from being able to reach any of the burners.

Preparing your home for a toddler takes quite a bit of work, and you should complete this important task over the course of several days because you are bound to miss things along the way. Look for any objects throughout the home environment that could be considered a risk to your toddler in any way, and make sure those objects are stored away and out of reach.