CHILDPROOFING WITH BOO BOO BUSTERS
Hey everyone! We’re talking childproofing today and this interview is one you’ll want to save, share & Pin because you can never be too prepared. Childproofing relates to everyone with an early crawler or walker in their home. Whether you’re an expecting parent or already have little ones on-the-go, childproofing is a must! How can we do our best to keep our kids safe in our own homes and feel confident knowing we took all precautions? I spoke with Natalia Bergman of Boo Boo Busters to get the scoop on childproofing and what you need to know. I first met Natalia in 2013 when I started Rockabye Mommy. Her amazing team worked with us to childproof AJ & Rochelle McLean’s home when their first daughter Ava was only months old. Her team has childproofed thousands of homes in Los Angeles, Orange County & San Diego. She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to childproofing, so thank you Natalia for sharing your insights with us!
RM: Tell us when and how your Childproofing business began.
NB: In 2001, Boo Boo Busters founder Kimberly Mitchell realized a need in the community when trying to childproof her own home. She realized there wasn't many (if any) reputable companies to help. There began the start of Boo Boo Busters child safety services.
RM: Ensuring a safe home environment for our babies is the top priority for all parents. As a child safety expert and mother of 4, can you tell us what it means to childproof a space and what it entails?
NB: Determining where you spend the most of your time is where you want to spend your effort and time creating a safe space for your baby to explore and grow. Another goal is to make a place of "yes" so that we're not constantly telling our children no, no, no. This is important for their development. We often tell our clients to crawl on the floor as your child would and see what they can reach and get into. That is what you want to make sure to baby-proof.
RM: What are the biggest safety hazards you see in homes and what are some that most people aren’t even aware of?
NB: Every home is different so it's hard to say without seeing, but being on the lookout for choking hazards (anything that can pass through a toilet paper roll holder unobstructed is a choking hazard), areas where children can fall (e.g. railings that can be climbed, windows or stairs) and toxic chemicals (e.g. cleaning supplies, laundry detergents & more).
RM: What is the #1 source of child injury in a home?
NB: The CDC (Center for disease control and prevention) states that accidents (unintentional injuries) are, by far, the leading cause of death among children. Injuries such as these below...
- Suffocation (being unable to breathe) Infants are most likely to suffocate while they sleep, put nothing in the crib.
- Drowning. Drowning is the most common cause of death from injury in children ages 1 to 4. (children can drown in less than 2 inches of water, it's not just swimming pools that we need to be cautious of)
- Poisoning. We have many toxic products in our homes. It only takes a second for a child to be in danger. Move all toxic products out of reach or latch cabinets immediately.
RM: What are some steps we can take at a basic level to childproof our homes immediately?
NB: We would recommend starting with gates for stairs and latches for cabinets. There are many other dangers that need to be addressed but those two things are a good start. (As mentioned above, crawl on the floor like your child would and start to childproof by addressing areas/things they can get to).
“Regarding DIY - If you are handy, wonderful. If you are not, I would not use child safety as a place to start to try to DIY. It’s far too dangerous, and the statistics are way too high. ”
RM: There are a lot of Childproofing DIY tips on the internet. How can a professional company like Boo Boo Busters provide peace of mind?
NB: We will come to your home, spend time with you in each room, figuring out how we can best help you make the area safe for your baby. Then we will do all the counting and measuring, so we can provide an accurate estimate of product and installation. If you like what you see we will come out and do the work. We keep good relationships with our clients and are always just a phone call away.
Regarding DIY - If you are handy wonderful. If you are not, I would not use child safety as a place to start to try to DIY. It's far too dangerous, and the statistics are way too high. Let the professional take care of child safety in the home.
RM: At what age should baby proofing be completed in a home?
NB: We recommend having child safety products in place before your child starts crawling. So around 6 to 8 months old is ideal.
RM: How do you test & qualify the quality and durability of the products you recommend and install?
NB: Don’t waste time running back and forth to retail stores purchasing poor quality baby gates, cabinet latches and other products that are difficult to install, don’t work correctly, and break easily! Boo Boo Busters has researched all safety products and tested hundreds of different safety devices to discern between effective, quality products amidst the vast sub-standard consumer-grade items available at retail stores. Boo Boo Busters offers only the BEST quality safety products at competitive prices. Our inventory of specialty safety products are more durable, easier to use and safer than most of what you will find at Target, Walmart and other local retail stores. Let Boo Boo Busters save you the time and frustration of buying products that just don’t work! Our team is always researching new and better products as they become available.
RM: What’s the best way to get in touch for scheduling a consultation with you?
NB: For any child safety questions, concerns or to book an in-home consultation please email us at info@booboobusters.com Or check out our website www.booboobusters.com. Happy to help!
Thank you again Natalia for sharing these very important facts and tips with us!
Mamma’s - keep in mind that baby proofing should start before your little one starts to crawl, around 6 to 8 months. Natalia’s info is above if you’re interested in a consultation.
How many of you baby proofed your own home and were there any areas you didn’t realize would be a hazard? I’d love to hear from you so please share your experiences for anyone currently in baby proofing mode!