Baby proof your home for summer with these tips

Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Baby proof your home for summer with these tips
Whether you call the pros or do it yourself, there are some budget friendly options.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- If you have a baby on the way or one that is about to go mobile, now is a great time to start baby proofing your home. Whether you call the pros or do it yourself, there are some budget friendly options.



There are dangers that lurk everywhere - in the home, at the pool, and in the car.



When it comes to the swimming pool, there are pool covers that can withstand the weight of an elephant. But one expert says the first safety measure you should take is a simple one.



"The biggest thing I would tell people to be concerned with is get a phone outside," said Scott Waldo with Platinum Pools. "One of the biggest things I find out is normally the parents are supposed to be the ones watching the kids when there is an accident. Mom and dad don't think when the phone rings I am going to run in for a minute. That's all it takes for an accident to happen at that time."



If you have a pool, there is an automated pool cover that immediately cover the pool with the flip of a switch. It retails for $10,000 at Platinum Pools.



"You can walk across it. It keeps your chemicals better. The pool stays cleaner," Waldo said.



If the automated pool cover is not in your budget, mesh safety fences can be used. Depending on the size of the pool, they can cost anywhere from $1,200 to $2,000.



There are also alarms to use around the pool that can alert parents. The iSwim Band is new on the market. A child can wear it on their head while in the water or around their wrist when they are not swimming. If the wristband hits water and the app is not in swim mode, it will automatically alert the parent on their personal mobile device. For the head band, you set a time.



"You can set it for 10, 15, 20 seconds, all the way up to 60 seconds in 5 second intervals," said Shane Christ with Pool Safety USA. "If you have a novice swimmer, you can set it for 10 seconds, if they are in over 10 seconds, you will be alerted."



The iSwim Band costs $59.99 and $99.99 for a pack of two.



Inside the home, a company called Precious Baby Protectors can baby proof the entire house. They install custom baby gates, as well as new door latches, drawer protectors, and outlet covers.



If you want to make sure your little ones stay indoors, the Door Guardian lock can help.



"It is a very hard lock, it's bursting rate is over 800 pounds," said Robert Thompson with Precious Baby Protectors.



It costs $45, but is money well spent if you have little escape artists running around the house.



For parents who need an instant fix, hair bands can be used to secure cabinets. Just wrap it around both knobs to limit the doors from opening.



Also, use a pool noodle to keep the door from slamming and smaller foam tubes to keep cords secure.



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