If you’re pregnant or looking to have a baby soon, you might be worried all those baby toys and baby-proofing contraptions you’ve been told you need will leave your home looking like a child care center.
Take a deep breath, and read on. ForRent.com and Safewise will provide you with four simple tips prove you can make your home safe for your baby without sacrificing its fashionable décor and sense of organization.
1. Replace your coffee table.
There’s no doubt that glass coffee table looks dynamite in your living room, but it’s a huge safety hazard for your baby. In fact, the number one reason children of a mobile age visit the emergency room is due to tripping and hitting their heads on the edge of a sharp coffee table. And, as any veteran mom will tell you, your baby will be crawling before you know it.
Donate that glass table to a friend and replace it with an equally stylish oversized ottoman. Get the most bang for your buck by selecting one that opens up and offers storage, giving you a place to toss all of baby’s must-haves when friends stop over unexpectedly.
2. Find a fashionable throw rug.
Whether you want to protect baby from wood floors or save your carpet from spills and spit-up, a throw rug is a great way to do so. And don’t stress about buying one that appeals to your little one but doesn’t jive with your décor, because the beauty of a throw rug is it can be rolled up and stored in a closet when dinner guests are on the way. You’ll also want to purchase a quality rug pad to prevent the rug from moving and becoming a tripping hazard.
Natural throw rugs, like a hand-tufted rojan wool rug, are a smart choice because they are made with rapidly renewable materials and don’t contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that can irritate babies skin.
3. Upgrade your home security system.
Your new addition is the perfect reason to upgrade your home security system. SafeWise collects hundreds of reviews from actual home security customers so that you can find a popular option that makes sense for your home. And you’ll be happy to hear that several well-respected home security providers such as ADT and Vivint offer sleek, low profile systems that complement your home’s décor. Make sure to read reviews to learn the pros and cons of each system. You might want to consider upgrading to a wireless security system. Not only will you avoid having holes drilled throughout your home, you could be better protected by a wireless system so that a burglar can’t disarm it by cutting wires.
4. Stock your kitchen with storage containers.
Don’t want food and storage containers cluttering up your counter space? Organizing your kitchen will streamline meal prep, save you time and keep food and drink safe for your bundle of joy. From saving tonight’s leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch to the convenience of making a week’s worth of meals ahead of time. Bonus: storage containers with tops that snap to the bottom will keep you form stressing over finding the correct lid, and they even hold up in the freezer.
You won’t believe how many boxes and bags of dry food such as teething cookies, cereals and crackers are about to invade your pantry and counter tops. To keep them fresh, store them in a container made especially for dry goods.
If you’re planning on making your own baby food, then you’ll want to get your hands on a freezer container made to store those homemade treats. The Mumi and Bubi Solids Starter Kit is a good choice because it’s stackable, Bisphenol A (BPA) free, and cubes slide right out without twisting.
Forget attaching foam corners to every object in your living room and locking down your kitchen. Baby-proofing doesn’t require you to transform your stylish space into an institutional one. Simply use our top baby-proofing tips to create a safe and organized environment for your baby without losing your sense of self.
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