Once your baby starts toddling around, it aspires to take giant steps in its enthusiasm to explore this wondrous first world – the Home. Every moment and everything around him trigger his curiosity. He starts pulling off, pushing, dropping, scraping, poking, tearing, and breaking anything that he gets within his reach.

To ensure his safety is no ordinary task. It is a humongous challenge. To make it a little easy for the parents to baby-proof their homes, a few obvious things are given here which will serve as an efficient checklist.

Dangling cords and strings: Electrical cords, strings of blinds and other hangings attract the toddlers instantly. If they can reach these things, the child may get electrocuted or strangulate itself with these cords. Make sure the baby is unable to reach them.

Secure the Trash Can: Trash cans usually are the storehouse of discards like pins, clips, glass pieces, fused bulbs etc that can be harmful to small children. Keep your trash can in a place inaccessible to your kid.

Electrical Power Outlets: Those little holes in the electrical sockets tempt your baby to stick whatever metal piece it can get hold of. This can turn out to be fatal. Use plastic stubs to secure these power outlets.

Medicines, Chemicals and Cleansers: Be sure to put tablets, capsules, acids, chemicals, pesticides and other toxic materials away in locked cabinets, inaccessible to your child. Even nail polishes and other make up items can be toxic to your child. Protect your baby from these potential toxins too.

Coins, fasteners etc: Keep all the places accessible to your child free of small things like coins, fasteners, and buttons. Otherwise, your baby may choke itself with these objects.

Fix shelves, book cases and stands to the wall: Furniture placed without fastening to the wall can get tipped when your baby tries to climb a shelf or bookcase. Pre-empt such possibilities by fastening the shelves and other furniture items to the wall.

Store injury-causing items safely: If you leave sharp, injury-causing objects such as razor blades, screw drivers, glass objects and knives within your child’s reach, he can hurt himself badly. Stack them away in safely located lockable drawers.

Sharp edges of furniture and fixtures: Find all sharp edges of furniture and fixtures that are at the level of your toddler’s height and cushion all the sharp edges and corners using child proofing bumpers and soft bumpers.

Safety Gates and Doorknob Covers: Install safety gates and door knob covers barring entry into areas where you have not done child-proofing. Doorknob covers will ensure that your baby will not venture out without your help and supervision.

Secure the Stairs: Stairs are the place the children love the most because they enjoy climbing up and down the stairs. It gives them a sense of achievement. So, it is very hard to stop them from playing on the stairs. The best way is to install gates both at the top and bottom ends of the stairs. If the gaps in the railings are too wide, narrow them down by having intermediary bars or railing guards fixed.

Photo by timomcd

Have you every had your hands full with your baby? Busy mothers are always in need of any extra set of hands when taking care of their babies. The Bumbo company has provided a great product to you. There are just sometimes where you can’t hold your baby. For those times Bumbo has come up with a safe seat that babies can enjoy.

Bumbo is a Canadian designed seat made specifically for babies. In fact, this unique design can be used with babies, who are no yet able to sit upright on their own. Because of the specially engineered style of this seat, it is safe to use for your little one. Children from 3 months to 14 months can sit in a Bumbo seat.

Parents need not fear this product. It has been endorsed by both Pediatric and Orthopedic Facility specialists. The design of this seat protects the lumbar regions of the spine. It is also safe for the vertebral regions. Bumbo not only has back support, but is combined with leg openings for a snug fit for your baby.

Parents can place this seat anywhere, and easily monitor their baby. While doing other household activities or chores, your child will be safe in the Bumbo seat. Multiple seats can be purchased for different rooms of your home. These are available in various colors, which makes them perfect for any decor.

This product provides a new alternative for those who need to do a variety of tasks. One great thing about the seat is that it can be used even after your child’s first year.

Most first time mothers will be surprised to find out that generally hospitals, do not let parents leave their facility, with newborns without a car seat. Car Seats are some of the most important purchases a new parent will make. In fact, your baby’s first car seat is crucial not only for the purposes of comfort, but also safety.

Purchasing a safe car seat is paramount to ensuring the protection of your child while your car is in motion. Parents need to take note on the type of car seat they buy, as well as, its functionality. During your baby’s first two years, you may need to buy at least two car seats, taking into account the size and growth of your child.

Graco’s SnugRide 32 infant car seat, has taken into account not only the needs of your baby, but also the efficiency parents desire. This car seat is appropriate for babies starting at 5 pounds to 32 pounds. Graco’s SnugRide 32 can be used for newborns and is still able to be used as your child grows. Graco takes seriously, its child products and makes them with quality and testing.

Graco car seats are extensively crash tested and are guaranteed by the company. The SnugRide product is not just a car seat, but also doubles as a carrier. It’s base will stay inside your car. So this product offers flexibility in function. It comes in various styles and colors. Parents are free to choose which is their favorite.

Take a look at the various car seats of Graco and find a safe product that also looks good!

Warm weather, not only brings more outdoor activity into our lives, but also the increase in insects. More and more families take to the outdoors when temperatures get warmer. Finding the right insect repellent, should not stop you in your tracks. Although there are many brands of repellent on the market, not all of them will be right for your family.

Many people are looking for drug-free repellents to combat insect and bugs. But often these products don’t work as well as, their counterparts. Gentle Naturals has taken this into consideration with its development of Gentle Naturals Repellent. This product is a Deet-Free version of insect repellent.

Much study has been done on the chemicals traditionally put into repellents. There are a lot of parents who want to avoid using these products, altogether. They want a natural repellent that includes ingredients that are not harmful to them or their babies.

Gentle Naturals Repellent is just such a product. It addresses the issue of insects, and offers a product that can naturally repel them. So, for families who will be conquering the great outdoors this summer, this is a good buy. This may be exactly what you need to protect your baby, and young children as they play outside.

Gentle Naturals has committed to providing quality, natural products to parents for the care of their babies. Visit their website to look at the offerings there. Gentle Naturals makes not only repellents, but body wash and sunscreen products, too. It is a comfort to parents to have an option in finding drug-free products for their families.

Before you bring baby home from the hospital, it is important to baby-proof your house. As a new parent, you may not realize all of the potential dangers under you own roof. That shouldn’t scare you; it should just make you cautious. Here are the tools you need to keep your home safe:

• Gates for stairs and doorways
• Outlet covers
• Power strip covers
• Drawer and cabinet latches
• Doorknob covers
• Appliance locks
• Corner cushions
• Crib rail teethers
• Monitors
• Safe cleaning products
• Night lights
• Bathtub spout covers
• Toilet locks
• Child-safe bath products
• Safe mattresses and blankets

In addition to the items listed above, always, always, always make sure you have a first aid kit in your home. Keep your doctor’s phone number by the phone in case you need it, and when in doubt, call 9-1-1.

Picture via Baby Center, where you can purchase all kinds of safety products, including gates. Find out more here.