After giving birth to your first child, you are very excited to come home with her. You are overwhelmed by the thought of spending your days caring for her. But, you have to ask yourself: is she safe at home? Well, she should be. So, a home check is necessary right after bringing her home.

Some structures, furniture, and items you favored for your home may now become potential hazards to your baby. For one, structures and furniture that have sharp edges and items that are made of glasses are already not suitable for her. So, baby proofing your home is necessary. Baby proofing, though, does not fully require professional help - you and your husband can do it for your baby. Here are some ways:

1. Check furniture to see if there are some sharp edges that require fixing. If there are too many, make a list to ensure that you will be able to repair all. You can try placing foam rubber at the corners of the furniture.

2. Roam around your home by creeping like a baby. This will allow you to see anything that is risky to your child when she is already able to hold and reach for things.

3. Make a cabinet in the kitchen where it is impossible for her to reach. Place all hazardous pieces inside - cleaning solutions, knives, carpentry materials, and others.

4. All electrical sockets, especially those that are knee-high, must have covers.

5. The kitchen is not a safe place for your baby. If it is impossible to have another door for your kitchen, then try to think of ways that will block her way through it.

6. At the bathroom, make sure that you have an area solely for her. Place a rubber at the floor so she will not slip; you may also opt to put rubber in the walls to prevent him from bumping. Put the soap, shampoo, and others in one container or cabinet.

7. To avoid burns, maintain your water heater to 120°F.

8. Do not allow her to use items, such as plates and glasses, which are made of glass. You can buy those that are made of plastic.

9. Remove toys that are so small; thus, easy for her to swallow. She may get choked.

10. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are also a must at home.

11. If your husband is a smoker, stop him or do not allow him to smoke inside your house. It is not good for the health of the baby.

12. Keep telephone numbers that you may need to call in case of emergencies.

13. Have a medicine cabinet in your house; but, make sure that it is placed where your child cannot reach it.

Baby proofing can be done as soon as she arrives at home. This should be maintained, though, to ensure that once she learns to walk and hold things, she is still safe, while you, as a mom, are satisfied.