| Active babies and toddlers tend to get into the | | | | your on-the-go tot doesn't get his head stuck. |
| most trouble when mom and dad are preoccupied | | | | Keep Items Out of Toddler's Reach |
| and that seems to happen often during cookouts | | | | Secure the Grill: Keep the grill off the deck or |
| with family and friends. Parents relax a bit when | | | | secured where your toddler can't go. |
| they know there are many other eyes around | | | | Put Things Up High: Place items such as: |
| that can watch their precious angel, but the | | | | Cooler, utensils and food up high. |
| problem is, those other eyes are more focused | | | | Place Dangerous Things Out of Reach: Keep |
| on their juicy steak on their plate or scouring | | | | items such as oil lamps away from your baby or |
| through the cooler for a cold one. | | | | toddler. The oil will look like a drink to a wee one |
| At parties, active babies and toddlers tend to get | | | | and is quite poisonous if swallowed. Keep grilling |
| lost in the mix and that's where their wild | | | | utensils out of reach as well. |
| adventure begins. It's up to parents to make sure | | | | Put Candles Elsewhere: Move candles out of |
| that their curious tot doesn't come in contact with | | | | toddler grasping range. |
| anything dangerous during the journey around the | | | | Don't Use a Tablecloth: Avoid placing table |
| big back deck. This is where baby proofing comes | | | | cloths on your table because your tot is sure to |
| into play. | | | | grab hold and pull. |
| Set up your back deck to be a safe haven for | | | | Other Considerations |
| your active child so that parties can be a lot more | | | | Get a Heavy Garbage Can: Consider getting a |
| fun for you without the worry that your | | | | very heavy garbage can that your tot can't |
| adventurous toddler is going to get into trouble. | | | | knock over or put the garbage can out of sight. |
| Below are some simple, yet very affective baby | | | | Cover Pointy Table Edges: If you have a |
| proofing tips to make your back deck ultra-safe | | | | table with pointy edges, make sure to cover the |
| from your curious George or Georgette. | | | | edges with a wrap around cushion to keep all |
| Start with the Perimeter | | | | active partiers, including your toddler, safe from |
| Safety Gate the Steps: Make sure to put a | | | | getting jabbed. |
| safety gate across the stairs that lead to the | | | | Get a Playpen: For times when you're off |
| back yard. This will keep your baby on the deck | | | | playing games with friends, cooking or your |
| and stop unwanted falls. | | | | attention is definitely not on your active tot, |
| Remove Chairs Away From Railings: Make | | | | consider getting a playpen and putting it on the |
| sure that all chairs and furniture is far away from | | | | deck along with many toys. This will keep your |
| the deck railings because if your toddler sees a | | | | toddler secure and entertained while you tend to |
| chair by the railing and climbs on it he might just | | | | non-toddler things. |
| decide to jump over. | | | | If you follow all of the above tips then your deck |
| Measure Deck Slats: Make sure that your | | | | will be baby proofed as if done by a pro and |
| toddler or baby can't put his head through the | | | | ready for a night of entertaining friends and their |
| deck slats. If they are too far apart, consider | | | | adventurous toddlers. |
| getting a mesh covering for the slats so that | | | | |