Waiting for the arrival of a new baby can be a fun and exciting time. Everyone is excited and happy, and it’s a great time to come together as a family.
However, a lot of work needs to be done in the house to prepare for a new baby. The first thing you’ll want to do is clean your home from top to bottom. Take out any furniture the baby can bump their head against, make sure everything is childproofed, and replace all the light fixtures with safer ones.
It’s also important to make major improvements to your house if you live in an older neighborhood with run-down homes. This way, when friends and family visit, they won’t feel too bad about where you live, which could hurt relationships in the future.
Here are ways to prepare the home for the arrival of a new baby:
1. Don’t make any long-term changes
While there are many things on the to-do list, you don’t want to make any risky decisions on remodeling or springing for nice furniture. You should wait until after the baby is born and have had time to adjust before making these quality decisions. Mistakes can be made when you’re under the influence of pregnancy hormones.
2. Inspect your home for safety hazards or slippery areas
Preparing your house for a baby can help keep them safe around the home, especially in rough neighborhoods with dangerous animals that could hurt the baby. Check all your windows to make sure they’re closed and locked inside their frames properly, especially if you live on the second floor. It is better to have a screen or something that will filter the air coming to your window to eliminate and prevent air pollutants or pollen to avoid allergies to your baby. Also, inspect the flooring to ensure it’s not wet or greasy. Consider using high-quality products, such as G&B Quality Cedar Products, for any wooden elements in the nursery or play area.
2. Replace all light fixtures with safer ones
It’s a great idea to replace your current light fixtures with newer, safer models that have childproof locks or alarms. This way, you can protect your little one from injury while they’re still growing up. If your house was built before the 1970s, it might be best to upgrade right away; by then, loose wiring was outlawed, so homes built during that period could pose fire hazards. It’s best to be safe than sorry.
3. Remove all furniture that has sharp edges, tall pedestals, or tall footrests
Make sure your furniture is safe for little ones to use by removing any pieces that could easily be climbed on and hurt the baby. You should also avoid having crayons out around them; dropping one of these colorful wax sticks on their bare feet can be extremely painful! Use only washable markers in the home; crayons are forbidden because they stain everything they touch.
4. Get rid of mosquitoes and other insects
If you live in an area where mosquitoes breed, it’s vital to keep them away from the baby. Drown any standing water on your property, use a mosquito-repelling spray before going outside with the infant and wear long pants and sleeves whenever possible. They can help you make your property free of mosquitoes, and they can also suggest ways to prevent those insects from coming back.
5. Keep all knives in a locked drawer
You don’t want any child to use knives around the house; it’s dangerous and can lead to cuts or even worse if they slip while using them. Make sure the knives are hidden away in a locked drawer that has childproof locks on each side. This way, they won’t be able to open it with their stubby little fingers! If you don’t already have one, consider getting an electric knife sharpener for when that crazy day comes when your children need to start cooking for themselves (probably sometime in their teenage years).
6. Install childproof locks on all cabinets
You never know what sort of dangerous items might be lying around your house, so it’s best to put several locks on crucial areas that contain things like cleaners and sprays that could easily poison a little one. You should also remove loose medications from their reach since many of them can be dangerous for a baby’s developing body. Nowadays, most homes have hidden cabinets that aren’t obvious – you could even put these in the walls if your home is old enough to have those.
Awaiting a new baby’s arrival should be a joyous time that families look forward to together. That said, it’s best to be safe than sorry. Inspect your home for safety hazards or slippery areas; replace all light fixtures with safer ones; remove any furniture that has sharp edges, tall pedestals, or tall footrests; get rid of mosquitoes and other insects; keep all knives in a locked drawer; and install childproof locks on all cabinets. Then you’ll finally be ready to welcome the new addition into your family.
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