We know how hectic life can be when your child starts crawling, so we've put together some tips and advice to help make your home safer.
Explore from a child's point of view
Drawers or cleaning cupboards under the sink are often full of poisonous liquids, so make sure they're locked or keep anything dangerous above head height.
Electrical sockets are also perfect for toddlers to stick fingers and toys into, so it's a good idea to buy some plastic plug-in covers to protect them from harm.
Fit a stair-gate at the top and bottom of the stairs
This will give you extra peace of mind when your little one starts crawling, as it will prevent any nasty falls. And if you have carpets, check that you won't trip or slip when carrying your child up and down the stairs.
Watch out for hot water
Accidents often happen if you're trying to do something quickly in the spare moments you get to yourself. To prevent kitchen disasters, kettle chords, coffee pots and boiling pans should always face away from the edges of worktops so that little hands can't grab them.
Cover sharp corners
When toddlers are exploring, furniture is perfect for grabbing onto for balance, so make sure it's secure. And to prevent any bumps on the head, sharp edges on tables and chairs should be covered with protectors. Also, try to avoid having dangerous or expensive objects at head-height, as there's a good chance it'll be picked up or knocked over by your lively little one.
Choose the right fireguard cover
If you have an open fire or burner in your house, put a child-friendly guard in front of it that won't overheat or scald after a few hours.
Be smart with windows and glass
Windows shouldn't be easy to open fully (just a few inches is safest), and never leave objects underneath so that toddlers can climb up. If you have sash windows, open and then lock them from the top, not the bottom.
With patio doors, put stickers on the glass so that your child knows they're there, it's also best to double-check that the locks are secure.
If you're replacing any windows or doors, always go for toughened safety glass, as it's less likely to break, and if it does, it’ll shatter into tiny pieces rather than sharp shards, which is much less dangerous.
Check each room for any dangerous cords dangling from window blinds or curtains, make sure they're tied back – better still, get something cordless.
Protect your pond
It's only natural that curious little ones will want to get near to the edge. To stop them from falling in, put up a fence, or for now, you could transform it into a sandpit while your child is still young.
