February 01, 2022

Babies are curious, some more than others. Everything is new and exciting to them, especially things which are forbidden.

With each milestone, and increased mobility, the world appears different from their point of view, but not all the things accessible are safe. If you are a new parent wondering how to create a safe home for your child, read on.

You don't want to worry or restrict your child's free exploration and independent play. Therefore, making your home ready for your child is essential.

The idea of babyproofing has been around, but it merits an update with our changing homes and lifestyles.

Here are some tips and safety products collected from talking with other parents, particularly those from Indian families, to bring your home up to safety standards.

Be Fussy

When it comes to your child’s safety, take no chances, be as thorough as you can

1. Go room by room, starting with the room/area where your child spends maximum time.
2. Go on your hand and knees to view the world from their eyes!
3. With milestones like crawling/walking, go for another round of babyproofing
4. Have a designated, locked-up place for unsafe chemicals, sharp objects, medicines, and electronics.
5. Keep the heat out of reach; in Indian homes, lamps and agarbattis could be a hazard and should be kept out of reach
6. Secure loose furnishing, planters, TV, loose wires and safeguard any sharp edges if possible
7. Talk to other parents in your neighborhood for relevant tips and visit their homes if possible – you may find some hacks which work better in your neighborhood
8. Have a plan for any situation, including the nearest hospital/emergency service.
9. Speak up to your help or relative if something makes you uncomfortable.

Ensure your home is babyproofed with these recommended Child Safety Products in India, vetted by parents we have spoken with:

• Electrical Socket Protectors: These are a great way to seal off the outlets. Some Parents also cut off supply to outlets within easy reach for prying fingers.
• Door Stopper / Pinch Protector: To prevent doors from closing on fingers. You can also tie a piece of cloth around the doors/windows. Accessible door locks/handles could also be a potential safety hazard as the child may lock themself in.
• Drawer locks: Work well to prevent your child from opening a drawer or a cupboard – contents you want to keep out of reach or prevent fingers from getting caught. You can also use these to seal toilet seats when not in use.
• Safety Gates: For those out of bound areas in your home, like the kitchen or a storeroom with tools and chemicals
• Edge Protectors: These are great to cushion pointy furniture edges or corners. Especially useful if you have a young toddler who is starting to walk and is unsteady on their legs
• Baby Monitors and Nanny Cams: These are handy to keep an eye OR an ear on your baby while you are busy and your child is playing unsupervised or with a caregiver.
• Balcony Nets: If you have a curious child who likes looking out of the window or balcony, you can consider bird netting for peace of mind. We have heard parents mention children spend a lot of time on balconies, especially in isolation, in the last couple of years.

Most importantly, take time to communicate with your child about the hazards. Sometimes they understand more than we give them credit for. Let's be mindful of creating a safe home for a safe baby.

You can work independently or with service providers like Safe Baby for babyproofing services. Be sure to check their credentials, like a valid certification for baby proofing offered by the International Association for Child Safety.

Do share tips which have worked for you so that other parents could benefit from your experience.