Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you. I am a REALTOR® licensed in the state of Utah, License No. 11785411-SA00 and affiliated with Presidio Real Estate (South Jordan).
Childproofing Your House – A Grandparents Guide To Babyproofing
Grandparenting In The 21st Century – Is Your Home Child-Safe?
Because loving them means keeping them safe.
Grandparenting is the sweetest gig around. There’s nothing like those squeals of delight and tiny bear hugs when they see you. But here’s the thing, if it’s been decades since you’ve had a baby crawling about or a curious toddler getting into everything, your home might not be babyproof.
Safety standards have changed a LOT since I raised my babies two decades ago. Our youngest grandbaby has just begun to crawl and recently, we moved into a “new-to-us,” but twenty-year-old house that was built when safety codes weren’t quite so stringent.
It’s time to do a quick safety-check and childproof our house.
Today, we’re doing a complete babyproofing tour of my home and updating our safety measures so I can sleep tonight – not like a baby though, since they don’t actually sleep. Where did that saying come from, anyways? Shouldn’t it be, “sleep like a Grandpa tonight?”
Toddler Home-Safety Checklist
I’ve created a toddler and infant home-safety checklist to help you get started on babyproofing your home. Plus, there’s a few extra grandparent specific safety measures to think about.
Child Safety Products
Hand-Me-Downs & Thrift Finds: Sweet or Sketchy?
Nostalgia and memory lane are the reasons many of hang on to our toys and baby items from our child-raising years or even our own childhood. I have many vintage things passed down to me that I would love to share with my grandkids.
Before sharing vintage toys and clothing, or setting up that hand-me-down crib for your grandkids, make sure they adhere to modern safety standards and don’t have any recalls. Look up the product on the CPSC website.
Older toys were often painted with lead paint or even made with lead, and some may have pieces or parts that are choking hazards. Furniture, such as highchairs or toy boxes could easily tip over or trap a child.
Even if the toys or furniture in question were never a safety issue, carefully inspect each item for broken parts, mold, or even leaking batteries before using.
Safety Tips For Grandparents
Medications & Healthcare Equipment
Of the ER pediatric visits for medication poisoning, nearly 38% of those children had gotten into their grandparent’s medication.
Aging gives us plenty of aches, pains, and extra prescriptions. These medications are a source of danger for small children and can be a target for older teens looking to score drugs.
To reduce the risk of having your grandchildren getting into your medication, consider a locked medicine cabinet and babyproof pouches, like this one, to put your medication in when traveling or carrying in a purse.
Don’t leave your medication out, unattended. Pill organizers that help you track your medication, while useful for memory lapses, are often not childproof in the way many pharmaceutical containers are.
Try not to take your medication in front of your grandchildren or show them where you keep it located.
If you use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, or canes, those can be tripping or tipping hazards for little ones. Don’t let small children use your walker as a jungle gym.
Follow all safety recommendations for other healthcare aids you may use, such as oxygen tanks, monitors, apnea machines, etc.
*This web site is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services.
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