help???

Message 1207 of 1845

My one year old grand daughter is coming for the holidays and I desperately need to "baby proof" the house. Any suggestions for where to start?

posted by jujobe

Keep breakables or anything you don't want 'touched' or broken out of reach or put away. Also watch for small items that could be accidentally swallowed.

See what you have under your kitchen or bathroom sinks that could be harmful.

Get the safety plugs for outlets.

Those are the main things. My youngest grandson is 11 now, so it's been a while for us.

Anyone else have ideas?

posted by joy333
over 2 years ago

You may want to check for corners on tables and places where she could knock her head...she may be wobbly. Also, if you have pets that have not been around wee ones - have a plan "B" for where they will be.

You can also get a baby gate at Wal-Mart for the top of stairs.

posted by HippyGirl52
over 2 years ago

Just remember that you can not be there fast enough so get out that vacuum cleaner and use it several times a day. (Those little ones go at top speed everywhere and put EVERYTHING in their mouths.) Leave nothing on the floor that will get it anyone's way. The table hint is a great one. Any sharp corners are bad corners and she will find them. Reachable knicknacks are to be put away. They are just the thing to peak her interest. Pots and pans on the stove need all handles turned towards the back when cooking. The safety plugs are a must and pets no matter how sweet can accidently scratch a child. You will be on your toes but your reinforcement is the parents who will be watching every move that this precious child makes.

posted by Iloveart
over 2 years ago

They have safety guards you can install on lower cabinet doors in your kitchen & bathroom. If you go to any hardware store, they can show them to you. When my niece lived with me, I had them in the cupboards. Then when I had my previous dogs, they were a necessity. Really. One of them was really smart & would open the doors & empty them out for her entertainment pleasure. I lost a lot of Tupperware to her teeth before I re-installed the safety guards.

posted by bluejjazz52
over 2 years ago

Thanks to all for the great suggestions. She is walking already so I'm going around on my knees to see things at her level, and have spent most of the day putting things in new locations away from baby hands. My youngest is 26, so it really has been a while!! Going to get gates for the stairs and to block the kitchen off, which her mom has done at home. But since we've been in this house as only adults, there are lots of things that she doesn't need access to. I have a couple of weeks to get this all done, but I wanted to get an early start, cause I know there's lots to do and I sure want it to be "right"!!

posted by jujobe
over 2 years ago

finally, have mom and dad give the house their blessing or help to make other changes necessary once they get there. They will be the resident experts and you will be before Thanksgiving is over. The main thing here is what a lovely Thanksgiving is awaiting you. Have the best time ever with that beautiful child and her parents.

posted by Iloveart
over 2 years ago