Baby Questions Round 1 (Continued): Safety

Again, continuation of the questionnaire...one thing to note is that it seems to just depend on your kid and how curious they are about certain things on whether or not you need to do anything about it...

1. Are electrical outlets covered in the house? Which rooms?
Seems like most did have them covered either in most if not all the rooms, but at least in all of the rooms that the baby would tend to crawl/walk in. "Not necessary until they start becoming mobile." Also the plastic covers are a pain to put in and out if you use the outlet to vacuum for instance. In that case, you can buy the switch plate that swivels to allow a cord to be plugged in, and when not in use, it's covered.

2. Are safety latches installed on cabinets? Which rooms? Some did (bathroom cabinets and under the kitchen sink) and some didn't (just move all of the hazardous stuff out of the cabinets/shelves that the baby can get into. ) For one, they bought some cheap ones and their kid was able to figure it out in a week. One recommendation (echoed by another) was to have one drawer in the kitchen that a child is allowed to get into. It seems as if it satisfies their curiosity and they don't need to get into the other drawers. Also, you just need to keep telling them not to go around opening drawers and cabinets, that way, when you go to someone else's house, then your kid already knows not to go opening cabinets and drawers.

3. Where are poisonous (cleaning supplies, liquid soap, perfume, cosmetics) and hazardous materials (shaving razors, nail clippers, etc.) stored?
Either in cabinets up high or moved most of the hazardous stuff to the back of cabinets.

4. Doorstops – Do you use stops near the top of the door or replaced the originals with one-piece doorstops or didn’t replace at all?
Nobody replaced them, but some just removed the ones that their baby were interested in. One did buy the foamy things to put at the top of the door to prevent fingers being smashed in the door, but never used them. [seems therefore like it's not neccesary]

5. Do you anchor heavy bookshelves or entertainment centers to the wall?
Responses were received both ways. Note that there was that Grey's Anatomy episode where Bailey's kid was brought to the hospital after something similar happened

6. Do you use corner or edge protectors on furniture such as coffee tables?
One couple answered yes, but they just got pulled off - and then you're left with sticky glue on the furniture. You can get a soft ottoman to use as a coffee table, and also, just generally try to keep your eyes on your kid at all times.

7. Have you installed any window guards or window-stopping devices?
No one did, usually more because their infant/kid couldn't reach the window lock or they're too heavy for them to open.