Ah, the toddler stage. Various emotions, tantrums, and a whole lot of love. Raising a toddler may make you question your sanity at some points during the day, but a simple hug can erase all of the craziness. Captain Chaos – I mean, Jaiden, keeps me on my toes. He knows what he isn’t supposed to do, but enjoys testing me during the day. Trust me when I say, toddlers get into everything! So, what are my must haves to baby and toddler proof your house? Check them out below!
A Gate. This is one of the first pieces we acquired when baby proofing our house. Prior to your baby crawling, you should be looking at one – one day they won’t be crawling, and the next you can’t stop them! A sturdy, safe, gate is your best bet. Remember that this will be used for a couple of years, so it must be able to withstand the power your toddler develops. We got a gate that opens and closes. I would highly recommend this so that you don’t have to step over it, or deal with taking it down.
Plug & Socket Protectors. Soon after Jaiden was on the move, we discovered his fascination with outlets. We immediately bought plug protectors, and they work great! They are easy for Shaun and myself to take out when we need to vacuum, but Jaiden is unable to remove them. Don’t take a chance and have your child try to stick things into them – get plug protectors sooner rather than later.
Cabinet/Fridge/Toilet Locks. Once Jaiden was on the move, it didn’t take him long to figure out how to open cabinets. Luckily, I had locks on hand, and was waiting to put them on until he figured out how to open them. Our fridge is quite tall, so he isn’t tall enough to open that yet, but we are prepared! Another thing that Jaiden loves to get into… the toilet. He is a water baby, and if you accidentally leave the toilet lid open, toilet water will soon be everywhere in the bathroom. Check out the locks we use below – they are great because they are 3M tape, and won’t damage your cabinets, fridge, or toilet!
Corner Guards. Babies and toddlers bump into everything, so it is important to protect them from sharp edges. Corner guards are great, especially when your child starts to walk. It’s also nice to get guards that won’t wreck your furniture.
Ensure all cleaning supplies and valuables are safely out of reach. This may be the most important tip in baby, toddler, and child proofing your home. Jaiden is a bottomless pit, and is always in search of food. He will pick up lint off the floor and put it in his mouth. This is why it is so important that any cleaning products, as well as valuables, are safely stored away from your child, and they are unable to access them. Nothing can stop a child’s motivation when they want something, ensure you are protecting them from chemicals and things that could cause them harm.
Parenting a toddler is challenging, but having them come up to you and give you a hug, or hearing them call you “Mom” or “Dad”, fills your heart with love you never knew existed. But don’t be fooled by their cuteness, they are chaos, and will get into something as soon as your back is turned. Ensure that your house is baby and toddler proof to provide the best safety possible for your child. Even when your house is child proofed, the sound of silence will still send a wave of panic over you… until you find them, shoulder deep in the toilet, and relief sets in as you realize it could have been much worse (unless of course, the last person in there didn’t flush).
