Babyproofing...

[dairymoo]

Am beginning to think about baby proofing the house as DTs are 8.5 months and are showing signs that crawling may not be too far off.

Apart from moving valuables / cleaning products to higher cupboards and shelves and getting some plug socket thingamajiggies what else should I be doing?

TIA!

Make sure your kettle is well back from the edge of the worktop, no steps in the kitchen (amazing how quickly they learn to climb). Also make sure there is nothing behind the kettle (eg a chopping board) that could fall over and push the kettle over. Kettle-phobic, me.

Stairgates and cupboard locks - ds thought it was hilarious to empty the cupboards... and the fridge.... and the milk

Be really careful about small things on the floor - pen lids, coins, woodlice, paperclips... I'll always remember my ds crawling over to me and sticking out his tongue which had a red paperclip stuck to it! There's the choking hazard as well as the fact that anything's edible at that age.

If you have a drinks cabinet, don't forget that bottles of booze can be poison to a toddler.

Watch out for anything they can strangle themselves with, e.g. dressing gown cords.

When they get older, drawer locks for drawers with cutlery etc.

But to be honest, we have babyproofed a bit, but there will always be hazards. As they get older, they will know what parts of the house they are not allowed to play in etc. For another year anyway you'll probably be in the same room as them or within earshot.

It can be a good idea to leave one or two cupboards without locks and leave only unbreakable stuff for them to explore e.g. tupperware pots, baby bottles etc - it keeps them out of mischief whilst you cook and let's them get that need to empty cupboards out of their system!