Baby-Proofing Apartment

Question

We just had our first child after several years of marriage and we're wondering what we ought to do to "baby-proof" our apartment. When do we need to begin and just what should we pay attention to?

Answer

You're smart to anticipate the need well before your child learns to scoot around and touch and taste everything in sight. In the months ahead, you will want to stay a good step ahead of your child's skills as you create a safe environment for her increasing curiosity and exploration. It's a good idea to start by going through your apartment, one room at a time, examining it from the floor up. Try to see it through your baby's eyes and imagine what she might go after. Here are some of the hazards that child health and safety experts say to watch out for.

Vacant electrical outlets should all have plastic safety covers, available at most hardware stores. Be careful also about using extension cords, as some toddlers have suffered serious burns from putting the end of a plugged-in cord in their mouths.

Check the floor often for small objects such as coins or paper clips on which a baby might choke. Especially during your child's crawling stage, you'll probably need to vacuum more often than usual.

Move all breakable objects to a high place-both for your child's safety and the well-being of your special treasures. It will be a long time before your baby is old enough to learn which objects are okay to play with and which things are off-limits. You'll save time and energy by putting things up until she's older.

Cleaning products and medications are life-threatening and should not only be put in high places, but also should be locked up. Older infants and toddlers often surprise their parents with their remarkable climbing skills and their ability to open even so-called child-proof containers, so don't take any chances. (Even some products that are not labeled as toxic can be dangerous in large amounts, so play it safe. Call the poison control center at the nearest hospital if you have questions about specific substances.)

Many plants are toxic when eaten and little kids do love to explore things with their mouths. Most parents find it easiest to keep all plants well out of the reach of their child's curious hands.

If you have open stairways, they should be blocked with an approved safety gate. Be careful about buying or borrowing old gates, which may not meet current standards. For example, some children have caught their heads between the bars on old-fashioned accordion-type gates.

Finally, think also about the quality of the air your child breathes. If there are smokers in your household or among your friends and family, remember that secondhand smoke poses a significant health threat to children.

By creating a safe physical environment for your baby, you will allow her the opportunities she needs to learn and explore. And, you will give yourself the freedom to enjoy your baby's curiosity and increasing mobility without the need to constantly intervene.

A question-and-answer column with Dr. Martha Farrell Erickson of the University of Minnesota

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