| Babies learn about the world through their senses. | | | | Placing furniture in front of the electric cords or |
| They learn about the relationships between | | | | radiators does not baby-proof them since babies |
| human beings from the people who care for | | | | can crawl inside tight places. |
| them. Eventually, if they have been loved and | | | | Accordingly, put out of the baby's reach all strings, |
| cared for properly, they learn to trust the world | | | | ribbons, and cords that can wrap around his neck. |
| around them. This is exactly what you as a | | | | This means shortening the curtain and blind cords, |
| parent would want for your baby. | | | | also. Sharp and small objects the baby can |
| As important as baby's trusting his environment | | | | swallow, household detergents, pesticides, |
| is, when the baby starts moving around, his | | | | matches, lighters, and firearms, if you have them, |
| safety becomes a serious issue. Once a baby | | | | should be locked away. |
| starts crawling or taking steps, he'll begin to | | | | It is a wise move to glue plastic or felt corner |
| explore by grasping, touching, hitting, rolling, and | | | | bumpers on sharp-edged furniture. Also, make |
| grabbing at objects. This learning process can | | | | sure the baby's furniture does not have |
| become quite dangerous if extra care is not | | | | wide-enough slats that can trap any part of him. |
| taken. Even in a strictly baby-proofed home, for | | | | Even if you have covered most of his crib and |
| example, a crawling baby can easily tug at a table | | | | playpen with soft bedding equipment, active |
| cover and get hurt by the objects falling from the | | | | babies can pull them apart. |
| table. | | | | Moreover, test all the standing furniture for |
| Taking into account that you already have | | | | stability. An active toddler can pull the drawer out |
| defensive safety measures such as carbon | | | | of an unstable chest and stand on it, causing the |
| monoxide and smoke detectors and safe toys, a | | | | entire chest to fall on him. |
| few more precautions are in order for your | | | | Learn the specifics of the indoor plants you have, |
| baby-in-motion. To begin with, you can place a | | | | and give away the ones that can be poisonous if |
| screened barrier around anything that can burn | | | | ingested. Lock away decorative glassware and |
| the baby's skin, such as space heaters, furnaces, | | | | other knick-knacks. You can put them back |
| fireplaces, stoves, and radiators. | | | | where you want them once the child grows up a |
| Range knobs, reachable pot handles, and oven | | | | little and learns to heed your warnings. |
| doors can be risky, too. Plus, a door to any large | | | | Some babies and toddlers seem to pay attention |
| appliance can be easily opened to trap a small child | | | | to gentle admonitions, but this behavior should not |
| or a toddler inside. Installing locking latches and | | | | be trusted, because a baby is full of surprises. To |
| putting knob covers on cooking ranges or other | | | | guarantee a safe environment for a crawling baby |
| appliances with knobs are good ideas. | | | | or a toddler, after taking all the precautions, make |
| In addition, you should cover the electric outlets | | | | sure he is being attended to vigilantly by a |
| with large plates, but not the small ones the baby | | | | responsible adult. No matter how extensive the |
| can pull out and choke on. You should store away | | | | precautions you take, a baby or toddler who is |
| electric cords especially those with extensions that | | | | not watched carefully can put himself in danger |
| are easily reachable or you should watch them | | | | within a second's time. |
| very carefully when the baby is in the room. | | | | |