Christian Parenting
"Each home is different and provides its own unique risks. You must take whatever steps are necessary to make your home safe for your child."
Luke 1: 19
The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
Ensuring the safety of the baby is a primary responsibility of every parent. At the top of the list is baby proofing the home, which can entail making several adjustments. Some are big; some are small. Some cost nothing, while others require a bit of an investment. Here are seven of the primary concerns when trying to baby proof a home.
1. Keep small objects out of reach. Items such as coins, buttons, and marbles can be life threatening if swallowed. In addition to removing these objects, examine all toys for broken pieces or small components that may become detached. Provide toys designed specifically for babies and be certain to check the recommended ages on all purchases.
2. Cover all empty electrical outlets. Plastic inserts are inexpensive and available wherever baby supplies are sold. Or, at a little extra cost, you could replace the outlet covers with ones that provide access through a rotating or sliding hole, thus restricting access when not in use.
3. Survey rooms for sharp corners. The corners of tables or chairs can be cushioned to protect a child that could stumble into them. You can do this yourself with blankets or you can purchase corner covers from a hardware store. Alternatively, remove the item with the sharp corners.
4. Install safety locks on cupboard doors. Prevent your child from gaining access to floor-level cupboards, especially cupboards containing cleaners, ceramics, appliances, and glassware. The cupboards requiring safety locks are most often located in the kitchen and/or the bathroom.
5. Inspect your curtains and window blinds. Make sure the curtain rods are securely fastened to the wall to prevent your child from pulling them down. Any cords should be moved out of reach to prevent them from becoming wrapped around the child´s neck.
6. Install baby gates wherever needed. There are a variety of models available. Some gates are to be installed with screws while others are kept in place by pressure (friction). Some gates swing open, some include a small door, and others must be removed completely to allow entry. Choose the gate(s) that fit your needs and your budget. Make sure that any gates at the top of stairs are securely fastened to the wall with screws.
7. Survey the home for any other hazards. Get down on your hands and knees to see the area from your child´s viewpoint. What temptations and dangers present themselves? Are there plants that might be poisonous? Is there a stand that could easily topple onto the child? Can small fingers get caught in a rocking chair? Address any concerns before they become a problem.
Each home is different and provides its own unique risks. You must take whatever steps are necessary to make your home safe for your child. By doing what you can and then maintaining that level of safety as your child grows, you can rest easy knowing that the most common dangers are eliminated. While supervision will still be required, you can relax and allow your child to explore the home.
Spiritual Prayer
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.