Dear Just Be: I’ll be taking care of my baby granddaughter while my son is at work. I don't rememember what baby proofing a house entails. Help?

Baby proofing is one of the most important things you can do for a child and yourself. What you need to baby proof depends largely on how old the baby is. As they get older the baby proofing changes, so try to anticipate what you will need to baby proof next. Also, keep in mind that when you baby proof your home life won’t be as convenient or as aesthetically pleasing, but it is for the well being of your little ones. Below is a breakdown on what you should baby proof based on the baby’s age.

Babies under three months old

1.) Use cribs made no later than 1992 and that meet the American Society for Testing Material safety standards. Crib mattresses should fit tightly, so the baby can’t slip between the mattress and crib. Also, crib slats should be 2 3/8 inches apart so the baby’s head won’t get stuck in between the slats.

2.) Don’t put pillows, stuffed animals or heating pads in the crib. Babies can suffocate on pillows and stuff animals and with heating pads, they can get burned.

3.) If you use a mesh playpen, make sure the holes are ¾ inch across, and definitely make sure the playpen doesn’t have any tears where the baby could get trapped.

4.) Use a safety belt with the changing table. If the changing table doesn’t have one, you can install one. You should also use a safety belt when the baby is in a swing or bouncy chair.

5.) Put an area rug underneath the crib and/or changing table which will act as some cushion if the baby were to fall.


Four months to when the baby is walking

1.) Get on the baby’s level to see what they see (in other words get on your hands and knees and crawl around). By doing this you will see edges, electrical outlets, strings, and gaps that you might not have noticed from your everyday view point.

2.) Keep small items out of reach. One good test to see if an item is considered small is to see if it will fit inside a cardboard toilet paper roll. If it does, it is too small and could be a serious choking hazard.

3.) Shorten cords on blinds, drapes and make sure cords to appliances are wrapped up. Cords can become extremely dangerous in that a child can get hung up in them.

4.) Move household plants out of reach. You wouldn’t think so, but certain household plants are poisonous when consumed.

5.) Make sure all the electrical outlets are covered. Use covers that are child-resistant.

6.) Pad the edges of coffee tables and fireplaces, so if a child falls they won’t cut themselves -especially their head on the edge of the object. Also, be sure to have screens around fireplaces, radiators and even space heaters.

7.) As soon as the baby can move and grab items, remove the hanging items or mobiles above the crib as well as the crib bumper. The crib bumper can be used as a step for the child to get out of the crib.

8.) Place stereos, televisions and other electronics in a way that the child cannot pull them off and onto themselves. This goes for bookshelves and entertainment centers too. Secure these furniture pieces in a way so they won’t fall onto the child when they use them to pull up and stand.

9.) Secure cupboard doors with childproof locks. However, one good idea is to leave an easy-to-reach cupboard open and fill it with plastic containers or pots and pans that are safe for the baby to play with.

10.) Put dangerous items (e.g., cleaning solutions, knives) far out of reach of children.

Other safety tips you should do regardless of the baby’s age are the following.

1.) Make sure every room of the house has a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector. Call your local fire department if you need help installing or information on purchasing a smoke and/or carbon monoxide detector.

2.) Program your phone with the numbers of the baby’s pediatrician, the poison control center, the baby’s parents (and/or your spouse at work) and your ambulance service (if you don't have 911).

3.) Don't expose the baby to smoke. Secondhand smoke can cause illness now and serious health problems down the road.

4.) If you don’t have time or don’t feel confident that you can baby proof your home - ask a professional. "Baby-proofers,” as they may be called, will come to your home, install protectors and locks, and look for hazards you might not notice. Have the baby’s parent ask their pediatrician if they know of any reliable, baby-proofers in the area.

For more information on how to keep your home safe for children visit the National Safe Kids Campaign at www.safekids.org.