Quick Fixes for Squeaky Doors and Baby Gates
After your efforts to get your baby to fall asleep you don't want to be foiled by a squeaky door. Typically a spray lubricant, like WD-40, on the hinges will do the job. For a more persistent squeak you may need to push the door's hinge pins up a bit to clean them and then apply the WD-40 or rub with petroleum jelly. To get the pins up (or completely out if necessary) place a flathead screwdriver under the head of the pin and tap it up from the bottom with a hammer. Do this one pin at a time to avoid the hassle of completely removing the door from it's hinges.
If you have an aluminum or metal gate (like the Stairway Special or the Safeway Gate) you may experience some squeaking over time. For Cardinal Gate's Stairway Special Gate remove the key ring from the bottom of the hinging rod. This will come off like an ordinary key chain link. Slide the metal hinging rod up and remove it completely (you're temporarily un-installing the gate at this point). Clean and spray the rod with WD-40 or petroleum jelly or even just rub it with a bar of soap, if your child has an affinity for licking things. Clean out the holes of the hinging bracket while you're at it since dust and grime tends to build up in the holes. Replace the rod and the gate, and then replace the key ring.
For Kidco's Safeway Gate remove the cap from the bottom component of the hinge side of the gate. To do this push in on the small tab at the top while sliding the plastic housing upward. Remove the gate completely and lubricate the hinging pieces on the gate (the eye bolt and the small hinging bolt), following the directions above. Then replace the gate and put the cap back on, insuring that it properly snaps back into place. 
Win 2 Stairway Special Gates (installed!) in honor of Baby Safety Month.
Visit Boston's Parents & Kids Magazine website for more information.
Many parents use plastic grocery store bags to line the bathroom trash can. Crawling children, however, love the crinkly sound plastic bags make. They can easily pull off small pieces, making the bag a potential suffocation hazard as well as choking hazard, right at a baby's level. We suggest ditching the plastic bags. Also, remember that anything you throw in the bathroom or bedroom trash can is within your child's reach so be careful what you throw away. If the trash can becomes too tempting for your child just keep it in a locked cabinet for now.
We all know to lock up the cleaning supplies that are in the cabinets under our kitchen and bathroom sinks. But what many parents aren't aware of is how dangerous cosmetics and personal care products can be to children. Even items like soap, shampoo and perfume can be toxic. They would be toxic to us as adults if we ingested them in large quantities but it doesn't take much to have damaging effects on a child's little body.
Sometimes even heavy furniture, like changing table/dresser combos, needs to be secured to the wall. Many parents assume that because the piece is heavy their child won't be able to tip it. But children use open drawers as well as shelves to climb. Just a little leverage is all it takes for a child to accidentally pull a heavy piece of furniture onto herself.
Don't forget the basement stairs, even if you have a door. Many children learn to open doors as early as 18 months old, giving them access to a dangerous stairway. Avoid using door knob covers, as children can defeat them fairly easily. For in-depth solutions please read our article below.
Avoid using energy-saver light bullbs in childrens' bedrooms, playroom and family room. They contain mercury that doesn't pose a threat when the light bulb is intact but can be toxic if broken (more likely to happen in these busy rooms). If broken, proper clean-up is essential to avoid mercury exposure, particularly to children and pregnant women. Check out our June newsletter for more information.
Heart & Home is featured on Parents & Kids Magazine's website this month. To watch the interview please visit their website: www.wickedlocalparents.com
Noted above as an area often overlooked by parents, the basement stairway also tends to be a source of confusion. Choose one of the 4 scenarios below that most matches your home/lifestyle and read on...
Our basement is unfinished and we rarely go down there. Solution: Install a flip lock or deadbolt. Position it at or above eye-level so your growing child can't reach it. A hook & eye will work too if your door is solid wood (not hollow). Avoid using a door knob cover as many children can easily defeat them. If you do go down to the basement remember that simply closing the door behind you will not be enough to keep your child safe once he or she is walking and can reach the door knob. See below for an increased layer of protection.
Our basement is unfinished/finished and we don't spend much time down there, except to do laundry. Solution: Install a deadbolt or hook & eye on both sides of the door. You want to be able to keep the door locked, but also lock it behind you when you go downstairs to do the laundry. Position the lock on the outside of the door at or above eye-level so your growing child can't reach it. Install the lock on the inside of the door as close to the door knob as possible to make locking/unlocking easier for you when you're carrying a laundry basket. Always be sure to lock the door behind you if your child is upstairs with your spouse. Please note that this solution may work while you have one child but if another comes along you may want to consider a gate (see below) since your laundry trips will increase exponentially.
Our basement is finished and we use it as a family space/playroom. Solution: Install a gate in the doorway, behind the door. Since you're passing through this door often it makes sense to have an easy way to keep your child safe from a fall. A gate will be easier to deal with than locks and you won't have to worry about accidentally locking a family member in the basement. A gate has more physical presence than a lock so you'll be less likely to forget locking it. Also, having a gate in place means you can keep the door open if you choose, making it easier for family members to communicate with each other.
Our basement leads to the garage so we're constantly passing through. Solution: same as above. Install a gate in the doorway, behind the door.
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