Baby proofing is the process of making your home safe and comfortable for your little ones. It involves identifying and eliminating potential hazards, such as sharp objects, electrical outlets, toxic substances, choking hazards and more. Baby proofing can also help prevent accidents and injuries, such as falls, burns, cuts, poisoning and drowning.

There are many baby proofing products and tips available to help you create a safe environment for your baby. Here are some of the most common and important ones:

• Use outlet covers to prevent your baby from inserting fingers or objects into electrical sockets. Outlet covers are pieces of plastic that you plug into electrical outlets. They are inexpensive and easy to install. You can find them at any store that has a baby section or online.
• Install cabinet and drawer locks to keep your baby away from dangerous items, such as cleaning products, medicines, knives, scissors and other sharp tools. Cabinet and drawer locks can be latches, flex locks or magnetic locks that attach to the inside or outside of cabinets and drawers. They vary in price and installation difficulty. You can also store hazardous items out of reach on high shelves or in locked closets.
• Use safety gates to block off stairs, rooms or areas that are not baby proofed. Safety gates can be pressure-mounted or hardware-mounted. Pressure-mounted gates are easy to install and remove, but they may not be as sturdy as hardware-mounted gates. Hardware-mounted gates require drilling holes into the wall or door frame, but they are more secure and durable. Choose a gate that fits your space and meets the safety standards.
• Secure furniture and appliances to the wall or floor to prevent them from tipping over on your baby. Furniture and appliances that can tip over include bookcases, dressers, TVs, stoves, microwaves and more. You can use furniture straps, brackets or anchors to attach them to the wall studs or floor joists. You can also remove items that may tempt your baby to climb on them, such as toys, books or remote controls.
• Cover sharp edges and corners with padding or guards to protect your baby from bumps and bruises. Sharp edges and corners can be found on tables, chairs, countertops, fireplaces and more. You can use foam padding, rubber guards or soft tape to cover them up. You can also move furniture away from walls or windows to create more space for your baby to crawl or walk around.
• Lock windows and doors to prevent your baby from opening them and falling out or wandering off. Windows and doors can be locked with latches, bolts or chains. You can also use window guards, screens or bars to prevent your baby from climbing out of windows. Make sure you can still open them in case of an emergency.
• Keep cords and wires out of reach or hidden to prevent your baby from pulling, chewing or strangling on them. Cords and wires can be found on lamps, blinds, curtains, appliances, electronics and more. You can use cord clips, ties or covers to secure them to the wall or furniture. You can also unplug unused devices and store them away.
• Remove small objects that can pose a choking hazard to your baby. Small objects include coins, buttons, batteries, magnets, jewelry, toys with small parts and more. You can use a toilet paper roll to test if an object is small enough to fit into your baby’s mouth. If it fits inside the roll, it is a choking hazard. You can also keep these objects in closed containers or out of reach.
• Keep plants away from your baby or choose non-toxic ones. Some plants can be poisonous or cause allergic reactions if your baby touches or ingests them. Plants that are toxic include lilies, oleander, poinsettia, mistletoe and more. You can check the ASPCA website for a list of toxic and non-toxic plants for pets and children. You can also keep plants in hanging baskets or on high shelves.
• Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in every room of your home and test them regularly. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can alert you to fires or gas leaks that can endanger your baby’s life. You should install them on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. You should also test them monthly and replace the batteries every year.
• Keep hot liquids and foods away from your baby or use spill-proof cups and bowls. Hot liquids and foods can cause burns if they spill on your baby’s skin or mouth. Hot liquids

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