How to Prepare Your Home for the Arrival of a New Baby
Becoming a parent is the most unique and, indeed, longest responsibility you will ever have in your life, and there are, naturally, myriad things you have to do in order to both mentally and physically prepare.
One such change you need to make, and indeed, sooner rather than later would be best, is to go through each room of your home to ensure it is safe for a baby, and so. With that being said, you should consider reading to learn how to do just that.
The Nursery
Naturally, certainly, in the case of a newborn baby, the nursery is the room in which the majority of attention and focus needs to lie, and everything from the style and layout to the color scheme and individual items of furniture needs to be baby-proofed and of good quality.
Some initial questions to ask yourself when planning the style of the nursery include:
- Are you looking for a more neutral style and theme ideal for older children too?
- Will you need the room to also act as a guest bedroom at Christmas?
- Do you want a design conducive to sleep or entertainment, and fun?
- Is it important to you that the nursery fits the style of the rest of the house?
The Stairs
Investing in two high-quality, sturdy, and durable stairgates for both the top and bottom of your stairs is an absolute must, and if you are unsure as to how to fit them, ask an experienced loved one for help.
In addition, the stairs should always be bright and well-lit, and any alcoves or balconies along the stairway should be securely squared-off, with balustrades and banisters secure and with no gaps between the pillars that a toddler could accidentally fall through.
The Kitchen
When it comes to the oven door, make sure you purchase a baby-proofed oven door lock and also turn your attention to other items in the kitchen, as this room could cause a range of nasty situations for your baby.
Only ever cook with the back two rings of your oven’s hob, fit safety catches or locks on each of the cupboards, in particular any cabinets that are low-level and touching the floor, always lock the tumble dryer and turn it off at the plug.
Moreover, you should also keep knives and sharp objects in locked drawers and keep toasters, and other worktop appliances pushed back to the wall.
The Living Room
Instead of potentially hazardous open fireplaces in the living room that, even with a fireguard protector, could still be a danger to a new baby and toddler, check out stonewoods.co.uk for numerous freestanding, cheaper, and altogether more beautiful fireplace options.
Other considerations for your living room in preparation for your new bundle of joy include investing in a secure table out of the reach of a baby for hot drinks and food, removing any houseplants keeping a storage ottoman for baby supplies near the sofa.