How to babyproof your home

• Wrap up renovations
• Store cleaning supplies out of reach
• Screw unstable furniture to the wall
• Cover outlets and cords
• Invest in knob covers for your stove
• Place corner guards on furniture
• Place non-slip pads under rugs
• Latch drawers and cabinets

1. Wrap up renovations

Welcoming a new addition into your family is a seriously busy period of life, so make sure you’ve wrapped up any home reno projects that you’ve been putting off beforehand. It’s not just a matter of time management—peeling paint, uneven floors, and more common fixer-upper problems could all be hazardous for children.

2. Store cleaning supplies out of reach

Raise your hand if the cabinet under the kitchen sink is your go-to cleaning supply storage space. We get it, but it’s not the safest location when you have toddlers on the move. We recommend choosing cabinets that are both higher off the ground and completely closable (open shelving might be in, but not in this babyproof house). This goes for any items that could be hazardous if your baby is exposed to them, from laundry supplies to medicine to toiletries.

3. Screw unstable furniture to the wall

Your little one will be learning to stand by pulling themselves up with furniture, so you need to make sure that furniture is stable. That means actually screwing that tall bookshelf into the wall at the top like the instruction manual told you to. If you’ve got chairs or other furniture with wheels, make sure the wheels lock if you’re unable to take them off entirely.

4. Cover outlets and cords

No babyproofing checklist would be complete without covering your electrical outlets. Outlet covers are fairly easy and inexpensive to find—just make sure you don’t forget any outlets tucked away out of sight. You’ll also want to store cords for chargers, appliances, and other devices out of reach from curious hands (and teeth).

5. Invest in knob covers for your stove

The last thing you want is for your baby to turn your stovetop burners on by accident. Or on purpose, for that matter. Stove knob covers may be a bit more challenging to find than outlet covers, but the peace of mind you get as a result will be well worth the extra effort.

6. Place corner guards on furniture

Falling is an inevitable part of learning to walk. So, it’s a good idea to cover any sharp edges with corner guards as part of your babyproofing process. Even if your baby isn’t at the mobile stage yet, you may want to consider corner guards for furniture near the changing table, crib, and anywhere else you’ll be frequently picking up and putting them down. To be clear, we think you’re going to be amazing as a parent and will absolutely not drop your baby. But, sometimes the best sleep comes from knowing you’ve prepared for the worst.

7. Place non-slip pads under rugs

From toddlers swaying unsteadily as they find their, well, legs in general to late-night rocking and pacing to coax the semblance of a regular sleep schedule, there are a lot of reasons you’ll want non-slip pads under your rugs. Tripping hazards are no joke when you’ve got a baby in your arms. And on a less serious note, it keeps your rugs looking neater. That’s one less thing to worry about on the adventure of parenting.

8. Latch drawers and cabinets

In an ideal world, we would store everything that posed a threat to babies out of their reach. But you only have so many cabinets, and the list of things that could potentially be problematic if a little one got their hands on it is essentially infinite. Props to toddlers for their ability to see the potential in objects beyond their intended purpose—never change! But for the sake of your sanity, we’d recommend installing latches on cabinets and drawers that are within tiny arm’s reach.

Is there anything else I should add to my babyproofing checklist?

You’ve probably noticed by now that a lot of people have a lot of thoughts about how you should raise your kid. While there are some good universal safety measures as we just went over, ultimately it’s your decision when it comes to how to babyproof your home. Your babyproofing checklist might look very different from ours, and that’s ok! If you tried to do everything everyone recommended, you’d go crazy. Do what you feel comfortable with and capable of, and the rest will come naturally. You’ve got this.

Babyproofing can feel overwhelming, but a good babyproofing checklist helps take some of the stress out of it.

The post The Essential 8-Step Home Babyproofing Checklist appeared first on Cardinal Financial.

It’s that time of year again! Halloween is an evening full of fun, excitement, and a little mischief—don’t worry about what could go wrong. Instead, embrace these eight Halloween safety tips to keep your home, your kids, and your trick-or-treaters safe.

1. Tidy up the yard

Inspect the path from the sidewalk to your front door, making sure the way is free of obstructions or hazards. Keep your eye out for loose porch railings, uneven walkway stones, unruly trees and shrubs, etc. If you have outdoor pets, don’t forget to scoop droppings. Look out for holes in your lawn and sharp edges on the path to your door. All of these potential hazards may be easy to spot and avoid in the daylight but, at night, everyone’s vision is impaired.

2. Double-check your homeowners insurance coverage

We get it, this is probably the last thing on your mind. Let’s be honest, when was the last time you reviewed this information? While it probably wasn’t on your Halloween to-do list, don’t ignore this task. Opening your home to strange visitors can expose you to potential claims and lawsuits. It’s important to make sure your property is adequately insured so that you’re better prepared in the event of an incident that requires legal involvement.

3. How long is too long?

Before your kid goes out collecting candy, check the length of their costume. Kids are more likely to trip and fall on a long superhero cape or floor-length princess gown, especially in the dark. If your child’s costume is longer than ankle-length, it may be wise to pin up the hem or exchange it for a shorter costume.

4. Be wise when you accessorize

Swords and sabres, wands and weapons—many Halloween costumes come with some sort of pointy accessory. Opt for such items made of soft material, like foam, and no sharp edges. Even if your kid is responsible, injuries are more likely to happen in the dark when sharp accessories are involved.

5. Make it fire-resistant

While this may not be high on your Halloween checklist, it’s important. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, open flame is one of the leading causes of reported Halloween fires. Walkways lined with jack-o-lanterns and porches lit by candles pose the biggest fire hazard to your child. Check the costume tag before you buy and make sure it’s made of fire-resistant material. This includes accessories like wigs and beards and costumes decorated with spray-on glitter and spray paint.

6. Other costume factors to consider

Choose a costume and shoes that fit your child well. Baggy and loose clothing can be a frustrating distraction and that’s the last thing your kid wants to worry about. Avoid costumes with a lot of accessories that might complicate the evening or cause a potential accident. If your child is potty training, make sure they can get in and out of their costume quickly when the need for a bathroom break arises.

7. Stand out in the dark

In all the fun and excitement of Halloween, it’s not unusual for kids to get rowdy and run around. Help them become more visible to street traffic by adding reflective tape to different places on their costume. Give them a flashlight or creatively incorporate glowsticks in a way that makes sense with your kid’s costume.

8. Not now, Fido

If you have a pet who is easily scared or excitable, it may be in everyone’s best interest to put them away for the evening. Confining them to a separate room or a cage, if they have one, will keep them from bothering the kids at your door. This approach is also helpful if your pet is easily spooked and prone to dart out the front door.

This Halloween is sure to be a scary good time when you practice these eight Halloween safety tips with your family.

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