Room by room tips to childproof your home
If you have children under the age of 3, it’s probable you have already taken steps to make your home as safe as possible for them. Young children are not only inquisitive but resourceful seemingly beyond their means. Watching your children grow and learn is the most significant joy life can offer, and they must be safe in their own homes.
Even if you have the safest kids’ bedroom furniture and made your home childproof, chances are you may have missed some hazards. Injuries that occur at home represent a high percentage of emergency room visits for children under 3. So, let’s go room by room and make sure your home is as safe as possible for your kids.
Kitchen
First of all, a kitchen may be the most dangerous room in the house for your child, so make sure you have restricted access to this room. Gating the entrances is a hassle-free way of making sure your children aren’t getting in where they aren’t supposed to. In a room full of chemicals, sharp objects, and other hazards, putting up a gate isn’t enough. Make sure the lower cupboards are lockable (and locked!), and that little hands can’t open ovens and refrigerators. If you can’t seem to stop them from opening the fridge, make sure to keep choking hazards like grapes and small pieces of food on the higher shelves.
Depending on the height of your drawers, you may want to consider lockable cutlery drawers as well as placing small appliances like microwaves and toasters far enough out of reach. Pay close attention to chords and cables, as these are an enticing target for a curious little human.
Bathroom
Following the same principles as the kitchen, view any small item as a potential choking hazard. Choking hazards could include pills and medication or the lid of a toothpaste tube. Remove any chance your toddler has to climb and put away items out of sight. Again, look for appliances such as hairdryers and make sure the chord is far away from grabbing fingers.
Even a small spill can trip up a toddler, and they are more likely to land head first. Make sure even the most minor spill is mopped up as soon as it appears. Taps can be covered in a rubber protector to prevent bruises or cuts if your child runs into it; also this can protect them from burns of the tap was pushing out hot water before it was turned off.
Livingroom
The living room is usually full of exciting and enticing objects for a young mind to investigate. As such, make sure anything small and swallowable is out of sight and out of reach. Items like candles and matches should be carefully monitored as even the goofiest toddler will find a way to strike a match or eat a candle. Even if you are confident your child will not be interested in eating wax, it’s not worth the risk, so keep an eye on it.
Blind and curtain cords should be tied up and well out of reach, it’s astounding how quickly a toddler can wrap themselves up and injure themselves. Digital amputation as a result of crushed fingers or toes is a genuine threat in your home. Consider soft closing doors or even just putting a towel in the top of the door frame can prevent a door or lid slamming shut and crushing your little one’s fingers.
Bedroom
Kids’ bedroom furniture is designed with soft edges and is ideal for young children but t it’s still important to make sure all trip hazards, as well as choking hazards, are up off the floor and out of the way. A kid’s bedside table is an excellent way of introducing safe surfaces while providing storage for all of their toys.
The bedroom windows should only be able to open to the size of adults fists. You can fit a guard on all windows in the house that are accessible by a toddler. Even if you think the window is out of reach, it still pays to be vigilant and prepare for the unexpected. Blinds or curtains in the bedroom should be chordless to avoid hanging or choking.
Close attention should be paid to your child’s crib too, making sure its correctly set up is vital. If your child is sitting up, lowering the crib mattress may be a good idea to keep them climbing off the sides. Like all kid’s bedroom furniture, cribs are built to a standard. Your crib must meet specific government requirements. Check your kid’s bedroom furniture before you purchase to make sure it’s meeting these safety requirements.
General tips
Being vigilant and watching your children at all times Is the best way of keeping them safe, but educating them can prevent future injuries and prepare them better for life. It is difficult to talk to your toddlers about safety, especially when they want to play and explore but having these conversations early on is the right way of building trust and giving your self some peace of mind.
Of course, you can’t be everywhere at once, and there are times when your toddler will get away from you. Anchoring any substantial piece of furniture to a wall or floor is a perfect idea, especially if your child likes to climb. My toddler loves trying to climb our old bookshelf, and the shelf weighs around 100kg and its anchored to the wall with some brackets and screws. No, I don’t want him climbing up there, but if he manages too at least, he won’t be crushed if it falls on him.
Toddlers are full of energy and extremely curious, a mix that is entertaining but nerve-wracking as you watch them play with reckless abandon. Children are not aware of hazards unless they are hurt by one or educated beforehand. Childproofing your home can seem like a massive task, but some preparation beforehand can save the heartache of a serious injury and trip to the hospital. Stay safe, everyone.
