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ToggleThere’s a lot to think about right when you move into a new home, from wondering if you actually called to have your internet set up to desperately trying to remember which kitchen box you packed the forks and spoons in.
And if you have young kids, you’re also going to be in a rush to figure out how to quickly child-proof your home before anyone gets hurt. Because while you’re busy unpacking, you know the little ones are going to be busy seeing what kind of trouble they can get into. Here are 6 simple tips on how to child-proof a new home right when you move in.
1. Get prepared before you move
To quickly child-proof your new home, you’re going to want to start early. Pack and clearly label a box or boxes with the basics that know you’ll need right away, including outlet protectors, baby gates, toilet and cabinet locks, doorknob locks, and anything else you regularly used for child proofing in your previous home. Then, either bring these boxes in the car with you so you know exactly where to find them, or have them loaded last on the moving truck so they’ll be the first things off. It will be easiest to quickly child-proof before every room gets filled up with boxes, so make this the first step before you go on to tackle to other things.
2. Make a Plan for kids
Moving day tends to be a bit chaotic, and it will be easy to overlook simple child proofing tasks while you try to juggle so many other things. If at all possible, make other arrangements for your kids on moving day so that you don’t have to worry about making sure everything is done the very second you set foot in your new home. It’s definitely a great day to send the kids to grandma and grandpa’s for a sleepover.
3. Create a separate space for unpacking materials
Empty boxes are joyful distractions for kids, but things like box cutters, scissors, and plastic wrap should always be kept out of reach. Set aside a separate space for storing these items as you unpack, such as a tall cabinet and/or a spare bedroom or the garage, and be careful to never leave them lying around. Be sure to install a doorknob lock on the door leading to where you’ve stored these items just in case tiny hands may find their way in.
4. Gate it off
While you work to get the home safe for your kids, make sure to gate off the no-go areas that aren’t secured yet. If you’re working on getting the first floor child proofed, for example, gate off the stairs and use another gate to keep your kids confined to one space, such as the living room. Put a movie on the iPad or hand off some empty boxes and markers for fort building to keep them busy. If you have really little kids, you’ll need to make sure you keep someone in the room with them as well. Before you leave everyone inside though, do a scan of the room, covering up outlets and clearing out any potentially dangerous items.
5. Cover up outlets right away
Go into each room and put in your outlet protectors. If you realize that you don’t have enough, focus on the ones at your kids’ level and in rooms they’ll frequent most often until you can order more. Just be sure that if you do have rooms where reachable outlets aren’t yet protected, you keep them off limits until you’ve finished the job.
6. Check the windows
Make sure that all windows have screens before opening them. And even if a window does have a screen, if you want to open it move all furniture and boxes away so that nobody can climb up there. You can also quickly put in some window stops that will keep your windows from opening too widely. If the window blinds have long hanging cords, tie them up and far out of reach.