Before you know it your new-born is now an experienced explorer and baby proofing has moved from a conversation to a necessity.
“As baby’s first steps quickly turn into exploring, it’s easy to underestimate how many everyday items can become safety hazards,” explains Catherine Oluwadare, brand manager for Milton. “From tripping over toys to curious hands finding every object which lands up in their mouth, toddlerhood is the age where your home needs to adapt fast.”
Many believe that it is only about “baby locking” the kitchen cupboards and making sure all the cleaning agents are put on the highest shelf, but it is ALSO about keeping this new “undiscovered” land, clean and germ-free. Cleaning and sterilising your surfaces are also a step towards toddler-proofing your home.
Oluwadare comments that toddlers have very curious hands, and these hands are likely to land up in their mouths once items such as toys, bottles, dummies, and well, basically anything in the house is handled. Exploring is how they learn but it also means a higher risk of germs spreading. This is why regular cleaning and sterilising is an important part of toddler proofing your home.
Plastic toys, especially ones used during teething, should be sterilised weekly or more often if shared or dropped. Soft toys can go through the washing machine, but for other surfaces such as feeding chairs, plastic toys, counter tops, floor tiles and play mats a sterilising solution such as Milton Sterilising Surface Spray which kills 99.9% of germs is ideal. A simple spray and wipe are all you need to make sure that your little one stays healthy while growing up.
When it comes to making sure your home is toddler safe, Oluwadare suggests prioritising the following ways to toddler-proof your home and keep your Dora the Explorer and Indiana Jones safe:
- Toddlers are naturally curious and determined. Anything within reach is fair game, and their ability to climb, open, and pull is surprising:
- Invest in safety locks for cupboards, especially for storage spaces containing cleaning products, sharp tools, medications, and small appliances. Toddlers can also get their little fingers jammed in drawers and doors that they can open and close.
- Small objects such as coins, batteries, beads, and even older siblings’ toys can be dangerous and considered a choking hazard.
- Any lose cables and cords need to be tied up, such as blind and curtain cords and keep electrical cords tucked away to avoid strangulation or tripping risks.
- Anchor bookshelves, TVs, and dressers to the wall. It only takes a few seconds for a toddler to pull or climb on an unstable object.
- While rugs and cushions might look cosy, they can also be tripping hazards or hide tiny objects that toddlers might put in their mouths. Regular vacuuming is essential.
- The bathroom and kitchen are full of potential dangers. In the bathroom, always empty out the tub, keep cleaning products and razors locked away, and consider a toilet lock. In the kitchen, use stove guards and turn pot handles inward when cooking. Keep knives, detergents, and alcohol high up or securely stored.
- With toddlers crawling, sitting, and playing on the ground, clean floors are non-negotiable. Use child-safe disinfectants regularly on hard floors, especially near entryways where outside dirt is tracked in.
Raising a toddler is a full-time adventure, and a clean, safe home environment can help reduce the stress that comes with it. However, all this cleaning and proofing may seem daunting, but when broken up into smaller tasks, is no problem at all. Items such as feeding chairs and play mats can be wiped down after use, a quick scan of the house for tripping hazards or small items left on the floor can be done while baby is napping or before bed time, and making sure that all heavy items, cleaning products and sharp objects are always put away can give you peace of mind that your little one is safe.
And remember, while toddlers might be tiny, their reach and mischief know no bounds. But with a bit of preparation and the right products, you can keep your household both happy and hazard-free.