It was our own fault, of course. My daughter was just being a normal baby.

My mom and I were chatting in the kitchen when we heard from the living room the unmistakable sound of breaking crystal. In an instant we stood over my 8-month-old daughter, who had just shattered a delicate ruby-colored wine goblet displayed on my mother’s coffee table. Our quiet little baby had for the first time crawled out of sight at record-breaking speed and into a world of danger.

I guess we should have seen it coming. These last few months had been filled with babies development milestones-—her first tooth, first time sitting alone, first crab-crawl across the floor. Still, she caught us unaware the day she set those little arms and legs into motion and like a moth drawn to a flame, crawled to the most precious and dangerous item in the house.

After that, the whole family got down on its own collective hands and knees and looked at our homes from a baby’s-eye view, as the best baby books advise. Then we got to work—what are dangers that lurk in all directions, and how can we clear them away? Reduce your own parent stress and do this yourself if your baby is nearly mobile. Watch out for:

Small or sharp things

  • If she sees it, she will try to eat it. Keep floors and tables clear of popcorn, cigarettes, coins, paper clips, small toys—-anything smaller than 1½ inches that you don’t want her to eat.
  • Check to see if small knobs on your television or stereo are firmly attached. If not, replace them with larger ones.
  • Keep window-covering cords out of her reach. They can accidentally strangle babies, especially if their ends are looped.

Poisons

  • Move cleaning supplies and chemicals to high shelves or put child-proof locks on cabinets.
  • Move house plants out of reach, because some are poisonous. Even if they aren’t, they’re a mess to clean up after a baby dumps them over.
  • After a party, pour leftover alcohol drinks down the sink.
  • Keep medicines in locked cabinets.
  • Never tell your baby that medicine is “candy.” This can tempt a child to eat or drink more later without your permission.
  • Keep a Poison Control Center phone number near your phone.

Electrical and Hot Things

  • Cover unused electrical outlets with plastic plugs or child-proof plate covers.
  • Put floor lamps in storage. Babies on the move can pull them over.
  • Keep lamp cords out of the way behind furniture.
  • Move fans. Put them high up out of reach.
  • In the kitchen, keep cords up on the counters, not dangling.
  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

 

Plastic Bags and Balloons

  • Keep balloons out of reach and throw out broken balloons right away. Bits of rubber, if swallowed, can choke a baby.
  • Store plastic bags safely. Don't let babies play with plastic bags. If they cover a baby's mouth and nose, the child can suffocate.

Stairs

  • Close off stairs with gates at the top and bottom.

Precious Objects

  • You can teach a baby not to touch valuables, but it’s much easier to change your home than to change a curious baby.
  • Putting breakables out of reach also saves a lot of battles.

Water

  • Keep lids closed, it may be a lot of fun for a baby to play in the toilet water, but do you really want those little fingers going into his mouth later?
  • Avoid leaving buckets of water unattended while cleaning or washing the car.
  • Never leave your child alone in a bathtub. If you forget to bring a washcloth or her favorite bath toy, too bad. You can do without for one night. 

Source: University of Wisconsin—Extension, NCR Publication No. 321, Month 5–6.