I am not sure if I should be embarassed about this, but we had a consultant, “The Babyproofer”, come evaluate our home. He walked around and then told us all the things that could possibly kill our baby.
This sounds dramatic, but we learned a distinction that we had not been making before his visit. You must fix the things that could kill your baby. The rest might just result in small injuries or minor damages to your home decor. Example: TV falling on baby (possibly fatal) vs plant toppling onto the floor (not fatal, just unpleasant).
After paying this professional for his time, I decided a better course of action would be to invite over my friend Julie or Heather’s friend Marla, both mothers of two. I’m sure that they would have been happy to show me how to protect my child from himself, and not charge me by the hour. And this wisdom is what I pass on to you.
Next step: Ask someone who has a toddler or two to walk around your house room by room and take notes as she gives you a braindump of all the little hazards her mommy mind can count.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes you should be embarassed about getting “The Babyproofer” around. What a load of codswallop! What happened to common sense and trusting your instincts? Don’t buy into such crap and certainly don’t buy into the guilt trip that may come later. You were on the right road when you asked your friend to come and find potential disasters and that would have been free! Despite my strong words I like your site and there is some really good, practical, and fun stuff here.Thanks
Toddlers are very good at showing you what can kill them in your house, and they will do it for free. Watch them, they will find the potential disasters very easily. This way, you can baby proof to the personality of the particular maniac in question.
IE I had one potential climber of bookshelves and one who couldnt be bothered trying because he was too busy attempting to put his tongue into electrical outlets.
Arent kids fun? Stay safe and sage….