Childproofing Your Home for a Toddler: The Second Time Around

When you had your first child, you made sure to dot every "i" and cross every "t" when it came to childproofing your home. You made sure that even your doorknobs had those very inconvenient plastic safety cap attached, and placed anything poison in locked cabinets. You probably rearranged part of your house, along with your life to accommodate the safety changes your home would need to incur for the safety of your toddler. Believe it or not, the second time around is even more tedious and difficult! But, adding these things to your check list are well worth the extra effort.

Besides anything that you can buy at a store to protect your children, especially toddlers, you will need to constantly monitor the toys your other children have lying around. Depending on the age of your older child (children), you will find this job more annoying then those door knob covers! Just imagine your five year old child's matchbox car collection being labeled as a "DANGER" due to possible chocking hazards. Yes, I have seen it all. These matchbox cars pop tires off, little mirrors break off, and even the car doors themselves can become finger food for your toddler.

It's a difficult task because your older child is not aware of these dangers. They are often playing with one toy, and off to the next. With a crawling child around, they just pick up what ever is lying around. It doesn't stop with matchbox cars either. Just think: crayons, markers, toy jewelry, figurines, even Barbie doll shoes and accessories. Think of all the toys that will be at arms reach of your toddler, it's as scary thought!

BUT, before you pull your hair out and think it is impossible to protect your toddler aged child, just remember, you are not a lone and it can be done. A system in place for neatly keeping all your older child's chocking hazard toys is easy to implement. All Barbie assessors and Barbie's can go into a large storage bin with a lid. When your child wants to play with her Barbie's, she will have to ask you to get the bin off a shelf. This way you are completely aware when the dangerous toys are out. Things like crayons and markers , matchbox cars and other hidden dangers can follow the same rules.

This task is easiest when your children do not share a room, but can be done in any situation. Keep in mind that there are MANY toys that can be left out. Anything large with no small pieces that can either break off, or separate from them are safe to leave alone. As a matter of fact, it is vitally important that you DO leave many of your older child's toys lying around. This serves a lot of good in keeping things relatively the same and can be a great teaching tool in sharing. Just watch how defensive your older child can get when your toddler reaches for a toy that is not his own!

Aside from all the toys around the home, you also have become even busier. This can be a danger because you can easily overlook something. Running after two children all day is tiring. I have, on occasion, fell asleep on the couch without even realizing it. Although I was half asleep and heard everything going on, my eyes were closed. There are little things your kids can get into when your not looking, and your older child just may inspire your toddler to find these things. Just make sure that you continue to keep poisons locked up and out of reach, latch locks on dangerous doors, gates up, and outlets covered. these are the vital things that need to be in place in your home.

It is funny how your older child may try to help you out around the house and with taking care of your toddler. My son poured out a LARGE amount of powder all over my younger son one night while they were supposed to be sleeping! It took hours of cleaning, many toys were so corroded with powder, they had to be tossed, and the worries of "did this get into their lungs" raging through my mind for months! Do you know when I asked my son why he did that his response was "I was trying to help you" Oh, the inner workings of a four year olds mind! The truth is all baby products should be considered poison, and kept out of reach of BOTH your older child and toddler. This includes baby powder, diaper creams, lotions, baby oil, even wipes.

Now, if your older child is MUCH older, as in teenagers, you should have an easier time childproofing. But there are still things that they may leave lying around that can become dangerous. Watch out for jewelry, nail polish, make up, cords from video game consoles and other hidden things that your teen may not think of. For the most part though, they are almost adults and can help rather than add to the problem. It's not likely your teen will try to help by pouring a bottle of baby powder on your toddler! Let;'s hope not.

Common sense, and creative thinking combined with what you can buy to protect your home on the store shelves, can make your home safe for the second time around. Yes, it can be done!