How to Baby-Proof Your House

Having a baby quickly changes a man's outlook on life. That box of magazines and videos you've been collecting for years? It's now a trunk full of evidence that you were once decadent and sleazy. All that loud music? Those CDs are now just glorified baby alarm clocks. And your man cave, filled with all your trophies, figurines, video games, comic books and posters? Sorry to tell you this, but your special place is a big, fat choking hazard.

Your baby has a way of taking everything benign and dull in your life and making it new and exciting. That is to say, everything that you thought was safe will quickly become life-threatening when she focuses her little eyes on it. Your once-safe home is now a minefield, a jungle of booby traps just waiting to explode in her face.

Baby-proofing the home is generally one of the first tasks expectant fathers undertake, as it is also one of the only things they have control over during the pregnancy. There's a lot that goes into it, though - it's a little more complicated than simply plugging in electric outlet covers. Follow these tips to make sure you've covered all the bases.

1. Be the baby - Get down on your hands and knees and crawl around in the areas you plan to have baby. Look for things that could be hazardous, like small choking items, loose power cords or top-heavy furniture. Don't overlook anything.
   
   
2. Start from the ground floor - Babies live their lives at your knee level. They see the world from the floor, and the things that pose the most danger to them are at that level. Pay very specific attention to the items in your home that sit that close to the floor. Vacuum every day to take care of small items that could pose choking hazards. Inspect the lower half of your furniture to make sure it's not breaking apart or chipping paint, and watch the carpet for frays or loose carpet tacks.
   
   
3. Invest in baby-proofing supplies - There are all kinds of baby-proofing supplies that will make your home infinitely more hospitable to babies. Pick up outlet covers, cabinet locks, toilet-seat locks, bathtub knob and spout covers and stove knob locks.
   
   
4. Gate off the house - Baby gates are an amazing invention, but they're by no means a replacement for adult supervision. However, they are beneficial for keeping baby out of areas she's not supposed to be. Some caveats, however: use gates only at the bottom of the stairs, never the top. One strong push, and gate, baby and all will come tumbling down.
   
   
5. Supervision is key - There is no substitute for adult supervision. You can baby-proof your house as much as you want, but it will never be enough; your baby will find a way to put herself in danger. Always keep an eye on your baby, no matter how safe the situation may seem.

You don't have to remodel your house in an effort to baby proof it. Above all, baby-proofing simply requires mindfulness. You can keep the things you love as long as you understand how your child is going to relate to them and plan accordingly. Essentially, you shouldn't be too worried, because you don't have to throw anything away - you just have to set it up higher.