Bringing a new baby home is an exciting time—but it also comes with some serious feelings of worry. While the first few months are full of sweet snuggles, that initial anxiety can grow as your little one becomes more mobile and starts to explore their world. Suddenly, your cozy home is an adventure zone filled with potential hazards, and it’s completely natural to feel a bit of unease. In fact, safety experts note that unintentional injuries are the leading cause of serious harm for children ages one through four, which is why babyproofing is such an important step. The good news? With some simple prevention tactics, you can create a safer space and feel more confident as your child ventures out into the world. At The Baton Rouge Clinic, we have years of experience helping parents babyproof their homes. Our pediatrics team has a few tips and tricks to help you make your environment safer for your little one, as well as the steps you should take if you suspect an injury after an accident.
Tips for Babyproofing Your Home
As your baby begins to move, your home will seem full of new and unexpected dangers. Taking some practical steps to babyproof is the best way to regain peace of mind and create a safe space for your little explorer. Falls make up 39% of initial emergency department visits for children ages one through four, so it’s a great place to start.
Prioritize Preventing Falls
- Install Safety Gates: Use hardware-mounted safety gates at the top and bottom of all staircases. For doorways or in-between rooms, pressure-mounted gates can work, but for stairs, a hardware-mounted gate is essential for safety.
- Secure Rugs: Use non-slip pads or grips under all area rugs to prevent them from sliding out from under a wobbly toddler.
- Move Furniture from Windows: Remove any furniture, like a crib, dresser, or chair, that a child could climb on to reach a window.
- Install Window Guards: Window screens are not strong enough to prevent a fall. Install window guards or window stops that prevent the window from opening more than four inches.
- Use Safety Straps: Always use the safety straps on high chairs, strollers, and shopping carts.
Guard Against Other Common Hazards
- Anchor Furniture: As your baby learns to pull up and climb, they might grab onto a bookshelf, dresser, or TV stand. Secure all heavy or tall furniture to the wall using anti-tip straps or brackets so that they don’t fall on your little one.
- Cover Outlets: Cover all unused electrical outlets with safety plugs or sliding outlet covers to prevent your child from sticking their fingers or objects into them.
- Lock Cabinets and Drawers: Install childproof locks or latches on any cabinets or drawers containing cleaning supplies, medications, tools, or anything breakable. There are many options, including magnetic locks that are completely hidden from the outside.
- Add Corner Guards: Use corner guards or foam padding on the sharp edges of furniture, such as coffee tables, to cushion against bumps and falls.
- Secure Cords: Tie up or tuck away all electrical and blind cords. Hanging cords can pose a strangulation hazard, so opt for cordless blinds if possible.
- Prevent Choking & Poisoning: Keep all small objects—anything that can fit through a toilet paper roll is a choking hazard—out of reach. This includes coins, batteries, and beads. Store all medications and household cleaners in high, locked cabinets. Remember, child-resistant packaging is not child-proof. It’s also a good idea to keep the national poison control hotline number (1-800-222-1222) on the refrigerator or some other convenient location.
- Avoid Burns & Scalds: Be vigilant with hot liquids; never leave a hot cup of coffee or a pot of soup unattended. To prevent scalds from tap water, set your water heater thermostat to no higher than 120°F (49°C).
- Watch for Drowning Risks: Drowning can happen in as little as an inch of water. Never leave a baby or young child unattended in the bathtub, even for a moment. Use toilet seat locks and empty buckets or wading pools immediately after use. If you have a swimming pool, it should be completely enclosed with a fence and a self-latching gate.
When to Seek Medical Attention
No matter how carefully you babyproof, accidents can still happen. A scraped knee or a small bump is a normal part of childhood exploration. However, all parents need to know when an injury requires professional medical attention. When in doubt, it’s always best to call your pediatrician or seek immediate medical attention. Early evaluation by pediatric professionals can make a big difference in ensuring your child’s well-being. Look out for these red-flag signs that warrant immediate medical attention:
- Head Injury: If your child vomits, loses consciousness, or exhibits unusual behavior like persistent crying or drowsiness after a fall or bump to the head, seek care immediately.
- Persistent Bleeding: If a cut is deep, continues to bleed after applying pressure, or you are at all concerned about it, a medical professional can evaluate whether stitches or other treatment is needed.
- Severe Burns or Suspected Poisoning: Any burn larger than the child’s palm, a burn that is blistering, or a suspected poisoning from ingesting a substance requires immediate medical intervention.
- Trouble Breathing, Seizures, or Unresponsiveness: These are medical emergencies, and care should never be delayed. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
The Baton Rouge Clinic & Affinity Health Group Pediatric Advantage
When accidents happen, you need a healthcare partner you can trust. The Baton Rouge Clinic along with Affinity Health Group in Monroe is here to support you with your pediatric needs every step of the way. We offer same-day and walk-in appointments for those urgent concerns, along with a wide range of services, from well-child visits to injury evaluations, so you always have convenient access to care.
You can also easily connect with us through MyChart and find a location near you for seamless continuity of care any time of day, from the comfort of your home. And be sure to share your safety knowledge with your baby’s caregivers, update your safety gear and babyproofing tools, and schedule a pediatric checkup to address any concerns with a trusted healthcare professional. Whether you’re in Baton Rouge or Monroe, you can count on compassionate, dependable care for your entire family.