Safety Proof Tips and Tricks
Keep your little ones safe with these easy safety proof tips and tricks.
I have often thought to myself, “If Britton would have been the first born, he would totally be an only child.” I love him and can’t even imagine our lives without him. But man, he is one strong willed child! He’s got a lot of spunk and adventure in him.
I’ve always heard siblings can be completely different and now that I’ve been on this parenting journey for awhile, I believe it! Along with experiencing the personality differences, I’ve also learned each boy has different needs — especially when it comes to keeping them safe.
I didn’t worry too much about Sebastian’s safety because often, he was more cautious than me. But Britton has this Mom scared almost ALL of the time because this boy is always curious and has NO FEAR. Lord, help me!
I’ve been parenting now for over 11 years and between the two of them, I’ve learned a ton about safety proofing the house. So I wanted to share with you some of my safety proof tips and tricks that I’ve learned along the way.
Lock Up Everything!
Britton is busy. All the time. Sebastian was very content to just sit and play with his toys. Britton is the total opposite. He wants to explore…everything. I am constantly finding items in the weirdest places! Magnets in the freezer — sure. Toys stuffed in the toilet paper roll — you betcha. So I had to start putting safety locks on doors and kitchen cabinets. There for awhile, I was even trying to find a lock for the toilet because he was fascinated with putting everything in there! Seriously.
Installing safety locks doesn’t have to be time consuming or hard to do. I found some great magnetic locks that I could stick on the inside of the cabinets with no drilling or tools required. To unlock, I just used the magnetic key to access whatever I need. And when he gets older, I can easily remove the locks with no damage to my cabinets! That’s what I call a mom win/win!
Cover the Outlets.
Since Britton loves to cram stuff into any hole or crevice he can find, I was super worried when it came to the electrical outlets. I have all our outlets inserted with plastic covers to keep him out! Such an easy and low cost way to keep your home safe for your little ones.
Skip the Changing Tables.
When Sebastian was first born, I thought I needed all the new parent things – including a changing table. But after a few months, I realized how unpractical it was for me. Instead, I set up simple diaper changing stations throughout the house. Basically the stations are a floor basket that nicely contain some diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream. So if I was upstairs, in the living room or in the basement — I could change a diaper in a flash. I just safely laid him right on the floor and had no worries about him rolling or falling off.
And when Britton came along, I just did the same thing. I love the convenience those little diaper stations provide! (Tip: Stock up on diapers for your little one this weekend at Walmart! There’s a brandSAVER coupon in this Sunday paper ( 8/26) that is good for $2 off two bags or one box of Luvs diapers.)
Get On Their Level.
Don’t feel like a fool for crawling around your house. When you are down on the floor like your little ones, you see life from their perspective. And you can spot more hazards or items you need to safety proof this way. I did this when both my boys were really little babies and still do, even though Britton is now a preschooler. Although now I have to worry more about him climbing things — which leads me to my last safety proof tip.
Secure the Furniture!
Britton is a big time climber. Thank goodness I have never seen him climbing up the bedroom dresser but I know that it’s definitely a possibility. That’s why I made sure to secure it to the wall. All our big furniture items like cabinets, dressers, media stands, etc. are securely attached to the wall so they can not tip over. It only takes a second for a little one to start climbing up and the weight of the item to shift. Don’t forget to check your televisions, too. We have attached all our televisions to the wall, as well.
And as an experienced parent, the best safety proof tip I can give is this: if you feel something might be unsafe for your little one — you’re probably right. Trust your gut and your mom intuition and everyone will be happy and safe!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Luvs at Walmart. The opinions and text are all mine.