| Not knowing where to start and how to analyze | | | | Barriers - A door top lock will prevent the baby from |
| each room is one of the biggest challenges facing | | | | wondering into the bathroom unsupervised. |
| parents set out to baby proof their homes. As a | | | | Locks and Latches - A toilet lid lock will prevent the |
| professional baby proofer, my survey method will | | | | toddler from accidently getting into the toilet. The |
| help you determine what products might be best | | | | lower cabinets and drawers should be latched. If |
| suited for your situation. Use the categories below to | | | | there are windows in the bathroom they should be |
| assess each room one at a time. | | | | locked to prevent opening by the toddler. |
| 1) Barriers - Baby Gates as well as additional baby | | | | Accident Safety - Electrical outlets should be the |
| safety locks on other barriers such as doors. | | | | GFCI type and be tested for proper operation. Non |
| 2) Locks and Latches - Devices used to baby proof | | | | GFCI outlets should have slide covers attached. |
| drawers, cabinets, doors, windows, appliances, toilets | | | | General Safety - If the door stop has a little rubber |
| and more. | | | | cap, replace it with a solid door stop. A non-slip mat |
| 3) Accident Safety - Furniture safety (such as | | | | for the bathtub along with a spout cover will protect |
| padding), fireplace hearth padding, electrical outlet | | | | against any head banging issues. Any chemicals should |
| safety products and appliance strapping. | | | | be stored in a locked container out of reach of the |
| 4) General Safety - Solid door stops, window blind | | | | baby. The trash can should be out of reach or have |
| cord cleats, bathtub mats and spout covers as well | | | | a locking lid. |
| as boxes to lock up your soap and chemical items. | | | | Organic Safety - includes setting the hot water |
| 5) Organic Safety - General safety without products, | | | | heater to a 120 degree maximum temperature, |
| for example, turning your hot water heater down to | | | | checking all tub toys for choking hazards (If it fits |
| 120 degrees, keeping the kitchen knife block out of | | | | inside and empty toilet paper cardboard roll then it is |
| reach and removal of crib bumpers and mobiles at | | | | a potential choking hazard). |
| the appropriate time. | | | | As you can see, doing this on a room by room basis |
| Now, using the above categories we can easily | | | | will not only help organize the process, it will help you |
| determine what baby proofing products are needed | | | | determine just what baby proofing products you will |
| for the bathroom. | | | | need. |