BABYPROOFING AWAY FROM HOME

So you finally have your home babyproofed.  That’s a relief and no small task.  But what happens when you leave your baby with grandparents, daycare or a sitter?   Are they prepared?  Don’t make assumptions.  Here are some general guidelines for baby’s next visit.

 Child Proofing Checklist 

Give grandparents, aunts and uncles and anyone else in the family a copy of our free Child Proofing Checklist.  You will find our checklist at http://homesafetytipsforkids.com.  This will help you with your initial home safety efforts for a baby.  Don’t expect family members who have raised kids to necessarily be aware of new technology on the market.  When our grandkids were babies and toddlers, full electrical plug covers, advanced car seats and serious safety and manufacturing standards didn’t exist.  Give the house a quick walk-thru to see what hazards are lurking in the shadows.  Go a step further:  If your new son or daughter is going to be visiting often, offer to help outfit grandma’s house so it will be safe for your child.

As difficult as it often is initially, the time may come when your child will go to a daycare facility.  While we all assume that such facilities are properly babyproofed (it is their business, after all), don’t take it for granted.  It’s true that they have probably been inspected by state regulators and insurance companies, but new exposures may have developed since the visit.  Initial issues may have been missed by the inspector or not addressed by the operator.  At any rate, ask for a tour when first selecting a facility and discuss the babyproofing checklist with the manager.

Use the Checklist and Your Intuition to Select Outside Help

Likewise, if you elect to have a friend or an independent person to take care of your child, have a look around their home and discuss the Checklist with them as well.  Several years ago, a friend was looking for a home in the neighborhood where her 10 year old child could stay after school.  There were two options within a block of school.  One was a stay-at-home mom with a daughter of similar age who was interested in watching my friend’s daughter simply for some extra income, but was not licensed or state certified.  Her home was clean with a place to do homework and the mom seemed to be a caring person. 

 The second place was a little messy, kept two other kids after school and was licensed and state certified.   But kids were playing with old pieces of surgical tubing, and they didn’t seem to be supervised.  My friend went with the un-certified stay-at-home mom and all went well.  While inspections and certifications have value, you have to visit and talk to the caretaker; then make your own decision.

 Wherever your child might be staying, whether it is overnight with the grandparents or in a daycare facility, take the time to visit, walk thru the home or facility and discuss the babyproofing steps.  Give grandparents a hand in babyproofing, if needed.  Insist the childcare facility take the necessary steps.  Just like at home, these efforts will go a long ways toward protecting your child.

For more information on this and related child safety topics, we invite you to join us at www.homesafetytipsforkids.com.