4 hidden dangers they don’t tell you about keeping your baby safe

It’s easy to see parenthood as a list of responsibilities, and we’re not going to begin this article by telling you anything different. That being said, some responsibilities are more important than others. For example, making sure your child is safe is more important than necessarily learning how to share while playing, even if both outcomes are essential to develop a healthy and well-nurtured individual.

That being said, sometimes we have to focus on the basics to ensure the later achievements follow through. This means that while looking out for our children is important, being aware of hidden dangers can be more so. But there are many lessons they don’t particularly tell you about keeping your child safe. That’s because some are more common-sense based, but still not outlined in their specificity.

In this post, we hope to provide some guidance you can use to ensure your little ones are safe, particularly if you have multiple children to care for.

Temperature care really matters

Children are much more sensitive to temperature than we might think, because as adults we tend to be better at regulating it and caring for ourselves in small ways that a child can’t. So, a room that feels fine to you might be too warm or cool for them. 

Keep their room between 68-72°F, which is roughly 20-22°C if you can manage it. During summer, a small fan can help circulate air, but never point it directly at their crib. In winter, watch out for radiators or heaters getting too hot, as a quick touch test with your hand can tell you if they need adjusting. When outside in the winters, make sure that they’re dressed appropriately, such as ensuring you have full covered kids’ snowsuits to keep them safe, and also supported from falls. All of this makes a profound difference to their safety.

Protecting your child’s room from pets

Family pets are wonderful, but even the sweetest dog or cat needs careful monitoring around little ones, because they don’t know how to handle their weight or sometimes, their behaviour. While it might seem cute when your cat wants to curl up in the crib or your dog wants to give baby kisses, sleep time needs to be pet-free for safety.

A simple solution is installing a door latch or baby gate, which keeps curious pets out while letting you check on your little one easily and without disturbing them. In the same way, you might think about adding a screen door to the nursery. It’s a nice adjustment that keeps the air flowing while ensuring your baby gets undisturbed sleep, without furry friends bothering them.

Be aware of hidden choking hazards

Small children have an unbelievable talent for finding things to choke on, because they tend to explore the world with their mouths as much as anything else. We all know to keep small toys away, but some risks are less obvious. For example, cute decorative nursery items might have buttons or beads that could come loose over time, or window blind cords can be dangerous if they’re not properly secured. 

This might sound like an odd suggestion but try crawling around a room they play in yourself, as you’ll be amazed at what you notice when you see things from your baby’s perspective and the little things they can grab.

Furniture safety (More than anchoring)

Many baby guides talk about anchoring heavy furniture, and that’s definitely important, but there’s more to think about when making furniture safe for kids. For instance, those gaps between the mattress and wall might seem small to us, but they’re just the right size for small arms and legs to get caught.

Moreover, your changing table might have safety straps, but they need regular checks to make sure they’re secure without being too tight. When your toddler starts toddling, corners are another thing to watch for, because they’re not just a problem with coffee tables anymore. Look for furniture with rounded edges, or add some corner protectors to stop a nasty head bump.

Creating safe exploration zones

Kids need room to explore and learn, so a good idea would be to curate the environment until their judgement and self-control is more in place. You could set up protected areas within your house or living space to give them the freedom to discover things safely without you having to say “no” every five minutes. For instance, put some play mats to create soft landing spots where they can safely practice their wobbly first steps. Remove all furniture and drawers from that space that could potentially be a danger for them.