From a baby’s first kicks, you begin to develop a deep bond with your child. As your love for your little one increases, so does your worry about anything that may go wrong during their childhood. You want to watch your children grow up in a safe and fun home, so follow these tips to keep accidents to a minimum.
Block stairs and cover electrical outlets
Baby proofing is not too difficult once you get into the mind of a curious child. It might sound unusual, but the best way to see what a baby or young child sees is to crawl on your hands and knees. Install safety covers on all electrical outlets, including those that are out of your sight. You will be amazed at how good children are at finding the nooks and crannies of your home. Pull furniture away from the wall to see what hidden outlets and other possible dangers need to be covered or removed.
Stairs in your home can be quite hazardous. Small children might accidentally tumble down the steps and get injured. Stair gates can block small children from accessing the staircase.
Cupboards on lockdown
What is lurking in the back of your cupboards? You do not want to leave it to your toddler to find out by accidentally swallowing poisonous ingredients found in household items like cleaning products and even laundry detergent pods. Avoid harmful chemical cleaners by making your own do-it-yourself cleaners. Store all unsafe or chemical products in a location that only adults can reach.
There are sure to be many more potentially harmful items in your home, such as knives and scissors. Add child-proof latches to lower cupboards, drawers, and other storage areas to keep harmful objects out of the grasp of children.
Sleep soundly
Your bedroom and your children’s bedrooms are places that you want to be safe and comfortable. It’s normal for parents to check the baby monitor throughout the night or sneak over to their room when they are young to see if they are sleeping soundly. To ensure that your child gets a good night’s sleep, you might like to install solid panel wood shutters. When closed, solid panel wood shutters create a near-blackout atmosphere. They keep out light, sound, and cold for a more comfortable slumber.
Choose safe furniture
You want your child’s bedroom to be safe at any age, so you should always carefully inspect furniture before purchasing it. For safety, seek out furniture with rounded corners and soft edges. Add corner guards to any furniture with sharp edges, which are certain to cause injury to a young child if left unprotected. The toddler years are when children are most vulnerable to bumps as they are not yet steady on their feet.
Children’s bedrooms should be designed with safety as a top priority, and furniture materials must also be considered. Solid wood is generally safer because it is usually free of chipboard, which contains harmful formaldehyde. Try to find upholstered furniture that is free of flame retardants as these have been associated with adverse health effects.
Safe paint is vital
Select any colour of paint you fancy, but make sure it is safe. If your home is more than 25 years old, you might need to identify existing paint to ensure that it does not contain lead and take the appropriate precautions. Seek out new paint that is low VOC or no VOC. These volatile organic compounds may cause acute and chronic health effects including asthma, headache, respiratory tract irritation, cancer, and other ailments. Breathe easy knowing that it is possible to create a stylish and safe home simply by reading the label on your paint.
Keep tidy
Put away any toys or small items strewn about the floor. There is nothing worse than stepping on a hard toy during the night while on nappy duty. Keep large items along the perimeter of the room in which they belong. Make sure small items have their place, and purchase toy bins if needed. You can even get organised while maintaining a grown-up look in the sitting room by hiding a few toys and items in a lidded ottoman.
Your children’s safety will always be your top concern. Hopefully these tips to make your home fit for children will help you keep your kids safe. Raising children is never easy and they are sure to get into trouble on occasion, but loving them and wanting the best for them is every parent’s goal.
Block stairs and cover electrical outlets
Baby proofing is not too difficult once you get into the mind of a curious child. It might sound unusual, but the best way to see what a baby or young child sees is to crawl on your hands and knees. Install safety covers on all electrical outlets, including those that are out of your sight. You will be amazed at how good children are at finding the nooks and crannies of your home. Pull furniture away from the wall to see what hidden outlets and other possible dangers need to be covered or removed.
Stairs in your home can be quite hazardous. Small children might accidentally tumble down the steps and get injured. Stair gates can block small children from accessing the staircase.
Cupboards on lockdown
What is lurking in the back of your cupboards? You do not want to leave it to your toddler to find out by accidentally swallowing poisonous ingredients found in household items like cleaning products and even laundry detergent pods. Avoid harmful chemical cleaners by making your own do-it-yourself cleaners. Store all unsafe or chemical products in a location that only adults can reach.
There are sure to be many more potentially harmful items in your home, such as knives and scissors. Add child-proof latches to lower cupboards, drawers, and other storage areas to keep harmful objects out of the grasp of children.
Sleep soundly
Your bedroom and your children’s bedrooms are places that you want to be safe and comfortable. It’s normal for parents to check the baby monitor throughout the night or sneak over to their room when they are young to see if they are sleeping soundly. To ensure that your child gets a good night’s sleep, you might like to install solid panel wood shutters. When closed, solid panel wood shutters create a near-blackout atmosphere. They keep out light, sound, and cold for a more comfortable slumber.
Choose safe furniture
You want your child’s bedroom to be safe at any age, so you should always carefully inspect furniture before purchasing it. For safety, seek out furniture with rounded corners and soft edges. Add corner guards to any furniture with sharp edges, which are certain to cause injury to a young child if left unprotected. The toddler years are when children are most vulnerable to bumps as they are not yet steady on their feet.
Children’s bedrooms should be designed with safety as a top priority, and furniture materials must also be considered. Solid wood is generally safer because it is usually free of chipboard, which contains harmful formaldehyde. Try to find upholstered furniture that is free of flame retardants as these have been associated with adverse health effects.
Safe paint is vital
Select any colour of paint you fancy, but make sure it is safe. If your home is more than 25 years old, you might need to identify existing paint to ensure that it does not contain lead and take the appropriate precautions. Seek out new paint that is low VOC or no VOC. These volatile organic compounds may cause acute and chronic health effects including asthma, headache, respiratory tract irritation, cancer, and other ailments. Breathe easy knowing that it is possible to create a stylish and safe home simply by reading the label on your paint.
Keep tidy
Put away any toys or small items strewn about the floor. There is nothing worse than stepping on a hard toy during the night while on nappy duty. Keep large items along the perimeter of the room in which they belong. Make sure small items have their place, and purchase toy bins if needed. You can even get organised while maintaining a grown-up look in the sitting room by hiding a few toys and items in a lidded ottoman.
Your children’s safety will always be your top concern. Hopefully these tips to make your home fit for children will help you keep your kids safe. Raising children is never easy and they are sure to get into trouble on occasion, but loving them and wanting the best for them is every parent’s goal.