Baby Proof Your House: Tips from a Mom and Daycare Provider

There are many "how to's" on baby proofing your house that can be read online or purchased from the book store. Here are a few tips that I have found to be helpful in my many years of being a mom of three and a daycare provider.

Experts suggest getting on all fours and looking around to see what can be seen by the child and what is within reach. It is very important to keep EVERYTHING off the floor. As your baby gets his mobility and starts rolling, creeping, crawling or walking, you will find that nothing is safe from being pulled down off of the coffee table or television stand, everything is taste tested, chewed on and drooled all over. If you have older children as well as babies, you will have to continuously pick up Lego's, school papers, pencils and pencil erasers, etc.. off the floor because babies and toddlers love to eat these things! The remote control for the television, dvd player, stereo etc always seem to attract the attention of the toddler who discovers that he has control of the world when he turns the sound up full blast or constantly changes the channels. But the dangerous thing about this is that the little genius finds out how to get the batteries out of the back. I have tried putting tape and tightly wound rubber bands on the remotes but the best solution is to keep it up high so he can't reach it. Hence another safety tip, keep all toys that can be climbed on away from the TV or table that you have put the remote on because your Evil Knievel WILL climb up to retrieve it, unaware of the danger he has put himself in. Bookcases, dressers, armoires, etc should be anchored to the wall to prevent them from toppling over and crushing the "curtain climber".