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I honestly didn't know how fast I could move until I turned and saw Aki rolling right off of the couch and onto the zabuton waiting for her below. And that is when I learned, Usain Bolt has nothing on me and, oh, Aki can finally turn over!
Aki has been rolling since three months and now, at 5 months, she is crawling, or more like inch-worming, her way around our apartment. Baby Girl is so ready to be on he move, and therefore, my husband and I also needed to get on the move with baby proofing!
I served as a director for a child care program back in the USA, and I was trained to look for even the smallest of imperfections in a child care environment. So, on the one hand, I know first hand how important baby-proofing is, but I am also well aware that a child's curiosity has no limits. What may look harmless, secure, or innocuous to us, probably looks like the world's most interesting adventure with endless possibilities to a little one.
Before my daughter was born, my husband and I bought the most classic baby-proofing items, but we are learning that a few plug covers and locked doors are not going to be enough to keep Aki safe. Below, I have listed our top baby-proofing items and their Japanese equivalent!
OUTLET PLUG COVER | コンセントキャップ
These are a classic! Plugs just so happen to be right at a baby's eye level and are one of their first curiosities. Luckily, you can find a pack of 10 or more outlet plug covers right at your local dollar store! My husband and I bought a few packs at Daiso and plugged them right in! Be careful not to lose the covers, as those pose a hazard as well.
CORD CABLE CONCEALER | 配線カバー
My daughter had a knack for finding cords even when she was a newborn. If I tried to talk on the phone using my earphones or looked at my phone while it was charging, somehow, her tiny fingers found their way around the cord... and she wouldn't let go! Cords are dangerous for several reasons, such as tripping hazard, chewing hazard, strangulation hazard and so on! These cord concealers look really neat, are easy to install, and are cheap as well! We bought ours for 100 yen at Daiso!
CHILD SAFETY LOCK | ベビーガード
Fortunately, my daughter is still too small to stand, but once she can, she will definitely be interested in all the drawers and cabinets we have. Child safety locks are a must; especially in locking away hazardous chemicals! Fortunately, these are also cheap and bountiful. There are so many kinds that lock cabinets, drawers, doors, and windows! My husband and I bought a screen lock for our balcony door and invisible magnetic locks for drawers and cabinets. We chose the magnetic ones because we didn't want her fiddling with the lock (I'm pretty sure she could figure it out), and they are more aesthetic.
FURNITURE SAFETY STRAP | 家具ストラップ/家具転倒防止ストッパー
A child has no clue how sturdy something is until it lands on them. Therefore, it's important to strap down anything that can possible topple over on top of your baby. We also live in Japan, which is known for it's devastating earthquakes, so finding furniture safety straps are easy and affordable!
CORNER GUARD/EDGE CUSHION | コーナークッション
Although it seems like babies stand and start walking overnight, they aren't very stable. They will fall and trip over what seems like thin air! These corner and edge guards can cushion their noggins and chins. They are affordable and we got the clear ones, which are a bit more inconspicuous and aesthetically pleasing.
BABY GATE | ベビーゲート
Fortunately, we live in a small apartment that has a door that naturally separates the main room from others, but I know that isn't the case for everyone. Babies are so curious and they honestly don't know a drop of stairs may be waiting for them. So, I definitely recommend getting a baby gate if you have stairs or need to block off the kitchen or other dangerous rooms. We won't be buying a gate, but we did have to buy sturdier garbage cans because she definitely makes a bee line for the things you don't want her to get into!
ANTI-SLIP MAT | 滑り止めマット
My daughter is already leaning on things to pull herself up. It would be a tragedy if the table, chair, or stand slipped as she was leaning on it for support. Anti-slip mats are also important here in Japan because an earthquake can occur at any moment, so it's is best if the things in your home stay firmly in place.
SLIDING DOOR/WINDOW LOCK | き戸ロック
Most Japanese apartments and homes have a veranda/deck and/or Japanese sliding doors. While you may think your baby or toddler isn't strong or smart enough to open it, think again! We have a veranda, and we definitely do not want our daughter out on the balcony and possibly falling from it. So, a sliding door lock is a must!
Safety is our number one concern as parents, so these items will give you more peace of mind! If your baby does happened to get injured or has ingested something possibly poisonous, I suggest you have a note or easy to access memo that has emergency contact numbers, nearby clinics, etc. on it.
Japan has an organization called JPic, which stands for Japan Poison Information Center or 日本中毒情報センター. They provide information about poisoning to the public and medical staff. I will include their information below!
Phone Numbers:
+81-72-727-2499 (Osaka, 365days, 24hours)
+81-29-852-9999 (Tsukuba, 365days, 9:00-21:00) (Call this line if you live in Tokyo or Kanagawa area)
Information you can ask (Only in Japanese)
・First aid measures
・Recommendation to have medical examination immediately
OR to have medical examination if any symptom appears during observation at home
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