When there are little ones in the house, we know there's a high probability that uncontrollable situations such as falls, bumps, or other incidents may occur that, even with the necessary safety precautions, are inevitable.
Every baby comes into the world endowed with a high level of curiosity that makes them a fearless and resourceful character, but what surprises us most is the speed with which they perform their feats, because they are completely outside our protective maternal bubble and before we know it, they have already done something that put them at risk of having an accident.
A cautious mother is worth two. Let's first focus our attention on being prepared for those first bumps or scrapes by having a first aid kit with ointments, bandages, and disinfectant solutions as needed, and of course, always having the pediatrician's phone number handy.
Now let's review the spaces, the danger zones, and make our home childproof.
ZONE 1, THE CRIB : There are safety standards for crib manufacturing. Let's check that the dimensions of the space between the railing bars, the firmness of the mattress, the space between the mattress and the crib, the heights for growth, and non-toxic materials in the paint and finishes are met. An important detail is to not leave any toys inside during bedtime.
ZONE 2, ROOMS AND LIVING AREAS: during your child's first crawling experience and later when they start walking, we must ensure that all furniture or decorative objects are fixed and stable, avoid having any toys with small parts that can easily come off within reach, keep glass or very small objects that can be put in their mouths out of reach, keep the floor very clean and as free of obstacles as possible.
ZONE 3, THE BATHROOM: Keep all toiletries and medications on high shelves or in hard-to-open containers. You can purchase a special mat for the shower floor to prevent slipping, keep soap out of reach, and have an age-appropriate bathtub.
ZONE 4, THE KITCHEN: All babies who are beginning to discover that they can open and close doors like the kitchen shelves, they also try to reach the handles of pots, take bottles out of the cabinets... you have to take the necessary precautions by not leaving the handles of pans sticking out, keeping all cleaning products under lock and key, keeping cutlery, corkscrews, sharp or glass objects out of their reach.
Stairs pose another danger for crawling or walking. Special gates can be used to prevent babies from climbing or going down them. Electrical outlets are also attractive for babies, and they can easily stick their little fingers in them. Special plastic covers are available to completely cover the holes. Safety products for toilet seats and doors are also available. We must be careful to ensure there are no loose cords or cables. Irons and hot stoves require careful attention so that little ones are not near them.
However, even if we manage to keep the outdoors and indoors free of dangerous objects and follow all the rules and safety tips, sometimes we won't be able to prevent a scrape, a bump, or a cut, so we should never feel guilty about it; children are unstoppable whirlwinds. Let's do only what's strictly necessary, always be alert, find activities that entertain them and are safe, but above all, let's keep an eye on them, and if, after all that, a minor incident occurs at home, "Heal, heal, heal, heal, heal."