Any parent’s top priority is ensuring the safety of their children: whether they’re biological or through marriage. As a stepparent, it’s a no-brainer that you want your child to feel safe and secure, and that starts at home.
In 2021, technology is everywhere. Whether it’s in the palm of our children’s hands, at school, or even at home, technology provides children the opportunity to do mundane everyday tasks with ease. However, beyond children, technology can allow you as a stepparent to get things done quickly and efficiently. Case and point: babyproofing.
Long gone are the days of installing hardware on every square inch of your home; babyproofing has gone digital. With smart monitors and environmental controls, baby proofing is easier than ever before. Not sure where to start? We’re giving you four key tips for babyproofing your smart home. (Got older step-kids at home? Here are some important computer skills to teach them).
1. Install Monitors and Motion Sensors
As your child grows older, it’s extremely important to monitor your child’s movement patterns. Whether it’s tossing and turning during sleep or waking up frequently in the middle of the night, knowing these patterns can help you identify if there are any problems with your child.
For babies, a crib monitor is a fantastic tool for ensuring your baby’s safety throughout the night. With this tool, you’ll be able to track your baby’s sleeping patterns that alert you of any unusual activity. For toddlers, investing in a door motion sensor in your child’s room is a great idea. This will notify you if your child goes off on their own throughout the night.
This doesn’t mean that you should be micro-monitoring your child or invading their privacy. Remember to use these tools only when necessary to ensure your child’s health and safety!
2. Equip your Home with Proper Lighting
As your child grows older, they’re more prone to walking around their room–or your home–on their own. That’s why it’s important to equip your home with lighting that will help your child navigate hallways, staircases, and other rooms safely.
However, adequate lighting can be a bit tricky. Traditional lighting can run up your energy bill if it’s left on for too long, and some night lights eat up energy as they’re plugged in throughout the day. Luckily, there are a few ways you can equip your child with proper lighting while also keeping an eco-friendly mindset and energy bills low.
Motion sensor nightlights are a great tool to install in your home. They stay off during the day–and most of the night–until it senses any motion. Then, as your child walks to the bathroom or your room after a bad dream, they’ll have adequate lighting along the way.
Another option is giving your child a portable night light. This will allow your child to have light in any space, thus making them feel more comfortable and secure.
3. Use Smart Speakers in your Child’s Room
Thanks to technology, communicating with your child is easier than ever. While your baby is far too young to own a smartphone, there are still ways to speak to your child from afar (in another room, of course).
Installing a kid-friendly smart speaker in your child’s home can make your child more comfortable with traditional smart speakers. In some models, you’ll even be able to use the smart speaker as an intercom to communicate with your child from any room. You can also place a smart sound machine in your child’s bedroom to lull them to sleep with lullabies or white noise.
4. Ensure Home Quality
Finally, when you’re babyproofing your home, it’s important to ensure your home’s overall safety. Taking steps like installing a water detector in your kitchen to notify you of any hazards and home damage or investing in an air quality sensor to prevent the sniffles and reduce asthma symptoms will help your child live a safer and healthier life.
Along with these smart devices, be sure to look into trustworthy home insurance to ensure that your home–and your children–are safe no matter what. As your babyproof your home, it’s essential to keep these tips in mind.
After all, every stepparent wants to provide the best life possible for their children! For a full overview of tips for babyproofing your smart home, hold onto this infographic as a reminder:
Find out the important things to consider when choosing a baby crib here.
