The best of EcoWatch right in your inbox. Sign up for our email newsletter!
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.
If you have a baby on the way, you’ve got a million things on your mind. If it’s your first child, you may be feeling even more overwhelmed with the ever-growing checklist of things to prepare for the big birthday.
You know as soon as that day arrives, all eyes will be on the baby. So you may be wondering, is it even necessary to baby-proof my home?
The answer is yes.
Each year, 3.5 million children end up in the emergency room from injuries sustained at home.1 We know you’ll have a careful watchful eye on your baby, but there your house may have some hidden dangers and toxins you haven’t even thought about. So let’s look at some eco-friendly ways to baby-proof your home.
When only adults or older children are living in the house, it can be easy to put off big projects. You’ve learned how to ignore that crack in your glass door and the broken window seal.
Not anymore.
Now that you have a baby on the way, you need to make sure your home is as safe and comfortable as possible. Here are some things you’ll want to check.
It may be easiest to walk room by room and address areas that need some sustainable baby-proofing.
You don’t have to lock up every kitchen cabinet. After all, isn’t making a drum kit out of pots, pans and a wooden spoon a childhood rite of passage?
However, there are things that you should lock up or keep well out of reach of your baby. Here are a few ways to increase your kitchen safety:
Like the kitchen, there are many items in your bathroom that can quickly become hazardous in tiny hands. The best way to baby-proof your bathroom is to:
When you picture a bedroom, you think about the soft bed covered in plush pillows. What could go wrong?
Unfortunately, several things, if you’re not careful. Here are some tips for baby-proofing the nursery and bedroom.
The Crib
Toys and Furniture
Another unsafe place for babies can be the laundry room (or laundry closet, for those of us who don’t have the luxury of a dedicated laundry room). If laundry detergent pods were enticing enough for teenagers to eat, imagine how attractive they’ll seem to a baby.
Here are a few ways to baby-proof your laundry area:
Aside from the nursery and bedroom, this is probably where your baby is going to spend the most time. Make your living room a safe space for your baby by doing the following:
There are plenty of baby-proofing items on the market, but many are made from non-sustainable foam or plastic and will likely get thrown away once your baby turns into a child.
To avoid unnecessary plastic use and waste, try making some DIY baby-proofing items with things you already have at home. Here are some ideas:
Switching to non-toxic home goods is not only an environmentally-conscious choice, but safer for the well-being of your baby and family.
Hundreds of thousands of children are sent to the hospital each year for injuries related to household cleaning products.2 You can also make safe cleaning concoctions using non-chlorine bleach, vinegar and baking soda.
Fortunately, as sustainability has become more mainstream, there are also several companies that you can trust for organic and ethically-sourced products. Here are some of our favorites:
The Honest Company makes a variety of multi-products and minimal waste products that are toxin-free. You can find household cleaners, baby diapers, wipes and soaps for the whole family.
Still decorating and baby-proofing the nursery? Check out the eco-friendly line from Modern Nursery. The company has designed organic baby gear free of toxic chemicals and pesticides. You can find anything you need for your baby, from eco-friendly furniture and bedding to high chairs, strollers and car seats.
All of the products featured on their page are made by companies that do their part to reduce waste, use reclaimed materials and safe, green products.
Bella Tunno is a women-owned, certified B-Corp that makes safe toys, teething gear, plateware and more for your baby. All of its products are 100% compliant with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). As an added bonus, you can feel good about supporting Bella Tunno because for every product sold, the company donates one meal to a child in need.
By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from EcoWatch Media Group, which may include marketing promotions, advertisements and sponsored content.
By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from EcoWatch Media Group, which may include marketing promotions, advertisements and sponsored content.
Latest Articles
The best of EcoWatch right in your inbox. Sign up for our email newsletter!
Experts for a healthier planet and life.