The living room, just like any other room in your house needs to be made ready for a mobile baby. The living room can be full of potential hazards for young children on this page, we collected several tips for you be on the lookout for when baby proofing your own home.
BABY PROOFING TIP #1
Start babyproofing your home before your baby can crawl. It is best to start before you bring the baby home from the hospital.
BABY PROOFING TIP #2
Get down on the floor at your baby’s eye level. Look around the room and pick up anything that you think may be a potential hazard for your children.
TV Tip Over
Babies are often mesmerized by the television because of the movement and bright colors. If your child approaches the television stand and attempts to climb onto it, the television can fall onto him/her. Always be sure to mount your television securely to the wall. If you are unsure or worried about your ability to do this properly, there are professionals who can help. If you contact the store where you purchased your television, they may be able to provide a list of professionals in your area.Choking & Strangulation Prevention
- Always make sure that the toys your baby is playing with are age appropriate. All toys for young children have an appropriate age range somewhere on the package. Any toys for older children may not be appropriate for your young child and may pose a choking hazard because of small pieces.
- If you have other children in your home, they may spend time playing in the living room. Always be vigilant of small toys that your older children may leave in the room. Things like checkers, marbles, or Legos are very dangerous if swallowed. Depending on the age of your older child, you should begin teaching them to pick up small toys early on, either during pregnancy or in the first few months before the infant becomes mobile. Explain to them how it is unsafe for the baby and it is a way they can help to take care of their little brother or sister.
- Be careful with anything that contains batteries. Batteries can pose a choking hazard. Make sure all battery covers on toys, remotes, and other electronics, this way it is less likely the batteries will fall out and be found by your baby.
- Make sure there are no wires exposed. Your baby could get these wrapped around his or her neck leading to strangulation. Additionally, they may bite the wires which can lead to your baby getting shocked.
- If your windows have curtains or blinds that have a string to open or close them, make sure that you tie the string high up on the window where only an adult can reach it. These cords can pose a strangulation hazard. Also, be mindful of those blind cords if your couch is placed below the window as the back of the couch can give your child a boost to reach the cord.
Fire Places, Candles, and Matches
- If you have candles in your living room, make sure that the candles and matches are always out of reach.
- If your house has working fireplace, be sure to install heat resistant gates. These gates should always be closed when a fire is burning. If children get too close they can fall in or their clothing may catch on fire. All fire-stoking tools should be kept out of reach of your children.
Preventing Head Injuries
When your baby becomes mobile and is learning to pull themselves up or walk, they are very unsteady on their feet. They fall and get back up just to fall all over again. One of the hazards of this is that side tables, coffee tables, and other low tables like T.V. stands, are right at head level when your baby falls over. The edges or at least the corners of any table in your home that is at your baby’s head level should be covered with corner guards with made of foam or plastic that will soften the impact or make the corner less sharp, should your child fall and hit their head.Couch Safety
- Couches are not safe sleeping surfaces for infants.
- Infants should never be left unattended on a couch. Couches pose the risk of suffocation and entrapment.
