New and expecting moms know that there is plenty to prepare in and around the home before baby’s arrival. From setting up a nursery to making sure you’ve stocked up on all the essentials, expecting moms go through plenty of effort to ensure a seamless transition to their new normal. 

For the first few months, baby will likely spend most of their time feeding and sleeping, but as they grow a little bit bigger and start moving around on their own, there’s another aspect to consider: home safety. You may have heard the term “baby-proofing” – the act of making an environment safe for babies and small children. This is an essential step to take at home to avoid accidents and ensure your baby or toddler stays safe while enjoying a little bit of their newfound freedom.

A few simple additions to your home will ensure your peace of mind, and your little one’s safety. 

Keeping safe at home

One of the number one safety items you’ll need in your home once baby starts crawling or walking, is a safety gate. Placed at the top and bottom of a staircase, it’ll prevent baby from taking a fall, but it’s also handy to place at the entrance of a room. A room like an office, for example, may contain hazardous items that baby shouldn’t have access to. Placing a gate at the door will prevent baby from entering on their own. Safety 1^st Auto Close Safety Gate (R999.99) offers a smart and easy-to-use automatic closing mechanism. Simply squeeze the buttons on the handle to open it and let it close automatically when shutting. It opens in both directions, making it convenient and practical to use. 

Most of us have a traumatic childhood memory of a finger getting pinched or closed in a door. Prevent this painful accident by safe-guarding the doors in your home. Safety 1^st Finger Pinch Guard (R54.99) protects fingers from accidentally getting pinched by a closing door. When the door is fully closed, it conveniently hangs on the doorknob where it’s easy to access when needed again. It is made from a soft foam material and is easily removed. 

If you’ve ever walked into the sharp corner of a table or counter you’ll understand why it is essential to avoid your little one from running into it (especially when it’s head-height!). Safety 1^st Corner Cushion 4 Pack(R47.99) contains four foam bumpers that are easily applied to tables, counters and other home furniture to soften the sharp corners and help protect your child.

Little ones are curious, and you may find them touching everything they come across. One of the biggest home hazards are plug sockets. Located close to the ground (thus within baby’s reach!), they can cause electrocution, should baby put their finger into one of the holes. Safety 1^st Outlet Plug Protectors 12 Pack (R49.99) is an essential. Made with rounded edges that are child-resistant, these durable plastic gadgets fit snugly into an electrical socket, sealing it and protecting baby from electrocution.

Keeping safe in the car

Once baby arrives, you’ll take much better precautions when you’re on the road, and it’s important to alert others of baby’s presence too. Let everyone know that you’ve got precious cargo on board with the classic Safety 1^st Baby On Board Sign (R52.99). It attaches easily to your car’s window and reminds others to drive safely. 

Healthcare safety

We all know the importance of keeping a first aid kit in your home and in the car, as you never know when you might need it. The same goes for baby. Make sure that you have basic healthcare tools such as a thermometer and medicine dropper stored in a convenient place – when you need it, you’ll want to be able to access it immediately. Safety 1^st Healthcare Kit (R269.99) features baby healthcare essentials, conveniently packed in a reversible case. The kit contains a soft-grip toothbrush, new-born nasal aspirator, medicine dropper with spill guard, a digital thermometer and an emergency contact card.

If baby’s nails grow too long, they’ll be at risk of scratching themselves, so it’s important to trim them regularly. However, moms know that this can be a challenging task! Take the stress out of nail trimming by investing in a pair of baby nail clippers. Safety 1st Clearview Nail Clipper (R54.99) has an adjustable 5x magnifying lens for a clear view and an easy-grip handle for secure hold. It helps you trim baby’s nails closely and cleanly.

Keeping your baby or toddler well-groomed is essential for their health and development. You only need a few basics to keep their hair, nails and teeth in tip top condition. Safety 1^st Essential Grooming Kit(R229.95) covers all of baby’s basic grooming needs in one convenient place. The kit contains a soft grip brush and comb, soft grip toothbrush, baby scissors, nail clippers and 5 emery boards in a convenient reversible travel case. All accessories are ergonomically designed and are suitable to use from birth.