Child-proofing your house is an important element in parenting. Once those little ones can crawl, it is a whole new world for them and anything they find will eventually find its way into their mouth. Even though we try our best to make our homes as safe as possible, trouble can be lurking in all rooms of the house. That’s why as a parent, you make it your mission to ensure your home is protected in every crevice, corner, and cabinet. But, sometimes even the most innocent things get bypassed as full-proof. This is not your typical “childproofing checklist.” Before your baby is on the move around your house, here are a few last places to double-check.

Door Stops

Door stops are a crucial safety element that should be checked out in your house. Many times our doorsteps have little white caps on the end of them to protect our walls from being damaged. Inspect these small white caps and ensure they can’t be pulled from the end of the door. A cheap fix for this is using super glue so the ends don’t come off or you can purchase doorstops that are specially designed for babies. Door pinch guards are also good purchases because they help prevent fingers from getting jammed.

Carpets

As parents, you try your best to keep the carpet spotless. However, sometimes foreign objects – carried by your pets, guests and even you –  can enter without you knowing. This is especially true If you have high carpets because small objects can easily blend into the fabrics. Vacuuming under your couch and in your car are also places that often get overlooked.

Magnets

Always keep magnets at the very top of your fridge and avoid purchasing any that are small and round. Keeping the fridge magnets to a minimum will help ensure nothing falls off and ends up on the floor.

Garbage Can

These can be lethal. They can be full of bacteria, sharp tin cans and raw meat.  The contents living inside a trash can is obviously something you want to keep your child far away from, but sometimes having a locked top is not enough. The simplest way to avoid a trash bin tipping or getting opened is to safely lock it away in a cabinet.

Buying or Using Second-Hand Items

Always use extra caution when purchasing or borrowing used items. It’s recommended that you buy new furniture or at least thoroughly clean anything before you bring it into your home. Since this isn’t an option for some parents, ensuring all toys, car seats and bedding is steamed clean or scrubbed vigilantly is a must.

Lamps and Tip-Overs

According to the CPSC, one child dies every ten days due to falling or tipping televisions and furniture. 46 percent of these fatalities occur in a bedroom and 91 percent happen in the home. Be proactive around your house and make sure every object is tightly secured.

Picture Frames

Always make sure all photos and frames are securely tightened to the walls. It’s always easy to overlook what may be way above your child because generally speaking, anything out of their reach is not a danger. However, heavy mirrors and even the smallest of picture frames can easily fall for many reasons and cause serious injuries to your child.  Avoid these accidents by securing whatever is on the wall.   

Plants

Household plants can also pose a major risk. They may carry poisonous fertilizer that can easily be grabbed and ingested by your little ones. The best way to keep a plant around your home is to safely secure it through a hanging hook or keep it high on shelves far out of reach from your child.

Stove Tops

If your little ones are already walking upright, there’s a good chance they will be reaching for the stove. Children are automatically attracted to buttons and knobs. So making sure your stove stoppers are installed before your child is walking is a must. Without these installed, a child can easily grab and turn on the oven or gas. Additionally, always keep pots and pans away from the closest burner.

Batteries and Appliances

Remotes and appliances such as humidifiers, game controllers, and cameras are all items that could be overlooked. Children can easily open the back of these items and access batteries which can be an extremely dangerous choking hazard. This is especially something to keep in mind if you have another child in the house because they might leave behind a game controller that’s batteries are easily accessible to your little one.

Personal Accessories

Books, purses, and jewelry are only among the many personal items to keep a lookout for when planning to have a baby around the house. Keep any personal belongings stowed safely in a locked drawer or up high. The variety of items children have been known to choke on include anything from earrings, coins, batteries, glass, wood and more.

Toilets and Tubs

Pools aren’t the only drawing danger in your home. Toilets and toddlers are a dangerous combo. Children are naturally drawn to water, so it’s important to always take extra steps to ensure all toilets are properly locked. When children are in the tub, even 30 seconds of non-supervision can be deadly. The reality is that it only takes a few inches of water and two minutes for a child to drown — anything that can cover their nose or mouth is a danger.

Plastic Bags

It can be the habit of many households to hold plastic bags in drawers below the sink or in low cupboards in the kitchen. When you have little ones running around you should always remember to store any bags above the counters and out of reach. Infants can easily roll on to these bags and become tangled causing them to suffocate. Dry cleaning bags can also be harmful because they are often left on beds and thought of as harmless. Unfortunately, all it takes is a thin film of plastic and your child may be in danger.

Pets

With a bit of careful planning, a baby and pet can make for a beautiful friendship. A few items to look out for when planning to have your little one run around is keeping your pets water bowls up high and out of a child’s reach. Shallow pools of water pose a drowning threat to young children.  Another safety hazard is ensuring a cat litter box is stored high and out of reach of your child. If a cat can crawl into these small spaces, you better believe your child will try too.

 

Many of these accidents are preventable if you know where to look and how to spot them. Always keep a close eye out for new hazards that arise in your house. Whether your purchasing furniture or having guests stay at your house. Always be sure to spot new and hidden dangers lurking. If you have one that’s not listed, add to the comments below!