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Outdoor Baby Proofing Tips
Crawling babies and toddlers get into a lot of mischief when parents turn their backs for seconds. If you’re in the backyard for a cookout or with friends, you might think everyone else is helping you keep an eye on your little one, but with so many people talking and eating, it can be overwhelming not to get preoccupied. Let’s face it, no matter what it’s always up to you to make sure that your little tot doesn’t explore unsafe territory or climb on dangerous furniture. When you are ready to let your child loose outdoors, baby proof the patio, deck and yard beforehand.
Once it’s time to move gatherings outside, it’s important to make sure you have a safe area for your child and any little visitors that might join their parents. We’ve put together some tips on things to watch for and baby proof, so you can have a restful time that is secure for everyone.
Walk the Perimeter
* Safety Gate the Steps: Make sure to purchase safety gates for patio and deck steps to keep your little one from wandering off.
* Remove Chairs Away From Railings: Make sure any small-scale tables and chairs are away from railings or drop-offs. If your child wanted to climb up onto the chair they could possibly fall over. It’s good to set up small baby furniture for the outdoors like little picnic tables and chairs, so children will gravitate to those furnishings instead of the grownup furniture.
* Measure Deck Slats: Measure the slats that make up the deck or patio to make sure they aren’t wide enough for your child’s head to fit through just like nursery baby furniture cribs or stair banisters. If they are too wide, consider putting safety mesh over them.
Items to Keep Out of Toddler’s Reach
* Secure the Grill: locate your grill off the deck or keep it covered and secured, so your child can’t turn the gas knobs or pull it over.
* Put Things Up High: Make sure anything you bring out for a gathering is kept up and out of reach from little hands like utensils, food and drinks.
* Place Dangerous Things Out of Reach: Consider and research everything you set out as décor or lighting before take it out. Something as innocent as the oil in those cute decretive lamps can severely harm a child if they think it’s a drink and drink it. Always keep items like candles, especially lit ones, up high and out of your child’s reach.
* Don’t Use a Tablecloth: To keep tots from pulling items off the table or pulling the entire table over, keep tables free of table clothes.
Other Considerations
* Get a Heavy Garbage Can: The heavier the garbage can is, the harder it is for your little one to tip it over. They like to use objects to help them stand or hold onto if they are falling, so try to secure it to a post or find a large and hard to tip over can.
* Cover Pointy Table Edges: If you have outdoor tables with sharp edges or corners you should get protectors or guards to put over the corners to keep children or adults from bumping their limbs or heads.
* Get a Playpen: This is one of those must-have types of baby furniture. Keep a playpen or pack-n-play outside, so you have a place where your baby or tot can be secure if you decide to play a game or get into deep conversation. Fill it with your child’s favorite toys and blankie and cover it with a mosquitoe net if those buggers are biting.
Once you’ve baby proofed your entire deck, you’ll be able to bbq knowing that your baby and other visitors will have a fun and safe time at your home. Your deck should be just as secured as if a baby proofing professional came!