Month 7 · 3 notes
If your baby is mobile or about to be, baby-proofing is urgent. Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Cover electrical outlets. Secure heavy furniture to the wall. Get down on hands and knees and crawl through every room to spot hazards. Lock cabinets that contain cleaning supplies, medications, or sharp objects. This isn't optional anymore.
That game where they drop the spoon and you pick it up? They're not trying to annoy you. They just discovered cause and effect, and you're part of the experiment. It's actually a cognitive milestone.
Mobile babies can reach stairs quickly. Install safety gates at top and bottom of all staircases before baby starts crawling.
Install hardware-mounted safety gates at the top of stairs and pressure-mounted gates at the bottom. Never use pressure-mounted gates at the top of stairs, as they can be pushed out. Check gates regularly for secure fit.
Crawling babies explore outlets. Cover all accessible electrical outlets with safety covers or plates. Secure loose cords and keep them out of reach.
Install outlet covers or tamper-resistant receptacles on all accessible outlets. Secure electrical cords behind furniture or with cord covers. Unplug appliances when not in use.
Baby can open cabinets and drawers. Install child-proof locks on any cabinets containing cleaning products, sharp objects, or medications.
Install child-proof locks on all lower cabinets and drawers, especially those containing cleaning supplies, chemicals, sharp utensils, and medications. Move hazardous items to higher storage if possible.