Best Way to Provide a Safe Environment for Your Baby

As your baby becomes more active, you’ll need to be increasingly aware of his safety. As soon as he can roll himself over, for example, he risks falling off the changing table. Then once he gets moving he can reach dangerous places, open forbidden cupboards, even touch and taste things that could harm him.

Young babies are naturally driven to explore the world around them, yet they have no sense of the potential dangers of their environment. And although your baby will start to recognize the word “no” at this age, you can’t rely on him remembering what it is he can and can’t do.

Your baby needs space and a sense of freedom to stimulate his development – so being overprotective in order to avoid accidents isn’t the answer. Instead:

•  provide a safe environment for him to explore
•  be aware of potential problems to prevent accidents before they happen
•  supervise him all the time; babies should never be left alone unless they are asleep in a cot or safe in a playpen
•  get down on your tummy to play with your baby – this will give you the best chance of seeing what’s sale, and what isn’t, in your home.

Around the home

•  fit stair gates when your baby shows signs of crawling
•  use anti-slam devices on doors to avoid crushed fingers
•  avoid using a baby walker – your child could tip over
•  fit window locks
•  use a five-point harness to keep him in his highchair
•  keep any furniture he could climb on right away from windows
•  fit corner guards to any sharp corners on cupboards and table edges
•  check that there is no furniture your baby could pull over on top of himself
•  check banisters and railings on landings or balconies to make sure he can’t tall through, over, or under them
•  check floors regularly for dangerously small items such as buttons, batteries, loose coins, or safely pins
•  keep matches and lighters out of reach and out of sight
•  cover electric sockets with heavy furniture or with safety socket covers
•  fit smoke detectors and check batteries every week.

In the kitchen

•  store sharp implements well out of reach
•  never leave hot drinks on tables or on the floor, and don’t use tablecloths – your baby could tug on it and pull hot objects on to himself
•  never hold a hot drink if you are carrying your baby, and watch for him crawling if you walk with a hot drink
• always supervise your baby when he is eating or drinking, to prevent him choking
•  use back burners on the cooker and turn pan handles inwards and out of reach – or use a pan guard
•  avoid trailing flexes
• be aware that oven doors and radiators get very hot
• use safety catches on cupboards and keep cupboards that contain household cleaners and cleaning fluids locked
• cover refrigerated, cooked food, and do not reheat it.

In the bathroom

•  never leave your baby unsupervised in the bath since young children can drown in only a few centimetres of water
•  use a non-slip mat in the bath
•  turn the cold tap on first when running the bath and test the water before putting your child in
•  keep your baby away from the hot tap in the bath or wrap a flannel around it and turn it off tightly
•  turn the thermostat on your hot water healer to48°C(120′F) to avoid scalding water
•  lock medicines and razors out of reach in a cupboard
•  keep the toilet seat down and remove the toilet brush.

In the bedroom

•  once your baby can stand, check there are no toys in his cot he could use to climb out
•  keep his cot well away from the window
•  once he can get on all fours, remove hanging mobiles
•  never leave him alone on a changing table.

In the sitting room

•  always use fireguards around fires and heaters and make sure the guard is firmly fixed to the wall
•  clear away left-over alcoholic drinks.