Our homes are our havens, but for curious and energetic children, these familiar spaces can transform into jungles filled with hidden dangers. From sharp corners to tempting cabinets, a young explorer can find trouble lurking around every corner. However, with a few proactive steps, you can transform your home into a safe and nurturing environment where your children can thrive.
Home expert Gregory Smith at PriceYourJob.co.uk has created this guide to help you make your home safer for children. This guide explores essential childproofing tips, helping you see your home from a little one’s perspective and identify potential hazards. From clever cabinet locks to strategically placed safety gates, you’ll gain essential knowledge to create a safe haven for your precious little ones. So, let’s dive in and ensure your home is the safest possible place for your children to learn and explore.
Protect Your Child From Sharp Corners
Children are prone to tumbles, and sharp edges on furniture can become a hazard. To prevent these from being a problem, corner protectors are important. These soft foam or plastic guards easily adhere to furniture edges, creating a cushioned barrier that absorbs impact and minimises the potential for injury. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit different furniture styles, and some are even clear to maintain the look of your furniture.
Place Magnetic Locks on Cupboards and Drawers
Magnetic locks are a great solution for keeping curious children from trying to discover what treasure lies on the other side of the cupboard door. This type of lock attaches to the top of the interior of the cabinet, and you need to use a magnetic key on that area of the door to open it. Keep all of your dangerous products and items locked away from your children. Locked cupboards and drawers are perfect for this. Alternatively, you may want to opt for high shelving to keep things away from your children.
Cover Up Electric Sockets
Electric wall sockets are the perfect size for little fingers. Since children are so inquisitive, electrocution is a very real possibility. With this in mind, getting some covers to put over any low outlets that are within reach of children is a good idea. This is especially important when your children are young and unaware of the dangers of electric shocks.
Move Breakables From Lower Shelves
If you want to reduce the risk of any breakables being pushed off your shelves and smashed, consider moving them to higher shelves. This is particularly important for heavier items that could injure your children if they were to be pushed from the shelves. Instead, place lighter, softer items on the lower shelves and leave the bulkier, breakable items on the higher shelves.
Beware of Leaving Things Overhanging
Never leave anything hanging over the sides of the kitchen worktops, tables, shelves, or other tall surfaces. This can include things such as pan handles, utensils, cables, and towels. Your child could inquisitively grab these items and pull them down, bringing a range of other objects down with them. Also, be careful when leaving sharp utensils around or hot drinks. Be sure to keep anything potentially dangerous away from small hands.
Keep Plastic Bags Locked Away
Plastic bags can be very dangerous to children. This is why it’s important to keep them stored away, preferably in a locked cupboard. Alternatively, you may want to consider buying some reusable cloth bags for your weekly shop rather than keeping a collection of plastic bags that could be dangerous to your children.
Keep Windows Locked
Windows can be a hazard for children – especially when they are young. Children are very inquisitive and may choose to open the window and may be inclined to hang out of the frame to see something or climb out of the window. With this in mind, it’s best to keep windows locked or make use of putting the window on the latch, just open enough to allow cool air in on hot days but not open enough for children to fit through.
Install Child Gates
It’s best to install child gates at the bottom and top of the stairs to prevent falls. Make sure the gates are securely fastened and open with a mechanism that requires adult strength. Similarly, if you have any forbidden areas in the home that are off-limits to children, make sure there are child gates installed to keep inquisitive children out of these areas of the home.
Avoid Installing Blinds With Long Cords
Traditional window blinds with cords can pose a strangulation risk to young children. Instead, it’s much better to opt for curtains, where possible. Cordless blinds are another option that can work well in place of corded blinds. Alternatively, purchase cord winders to keep the cords out of reach of children.
Secure Large Furniture Items
Tall furniture items are especially dangerous for young children. Things such as bookshelves or lamps can easily topple over if climbed on. With this in mind, you should aim to secure all furniture in place using straps or brackets. Secure furniture pieces to the wall to prevent them from toppling over.
Keep Hot Appliances Out of Reach
Hot appliances such as toasters, ovens, and coffee makers need to be kept out of children’s reach. Turn pot handles inwards on the stove to prevent accidental spills and burns. If anything hot is within reach of children, consider placing a gate on the door so your child can’t enter the room when the hot appliances are running.
Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Monitors
It’s important to make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide monitors are installed correctly and are working properly. Consider installing these on each floor of your home for optimum safety levels. Test these detectors regularly and replace batteries whenever needed.
Install Tall Fences in the Garden
Installing a fence is an important step to take when turning your garden into a safe play area for your children. A fence around your garden will allow you to control how far your child can go and will make it easier for you to keep track of where they are and prevent any accidents. It’s important when choosing a new fence to select one that is tall enough so that your child can’t simply climb right over it. Fencing is also very helpful for protecting your child from external threats. A good solid fence will help to keep intruders and trespassers out of your garden and is also great for helping to keep unwanted pests out, such as wild or stray animals.
Remove Toxic Plants
Some species of plants and bushes can be toxic and may even be poisonous to your children. If your child comes into contact with these types of plants, it could lead to some negative side effects, such as allergies, skin reactions, and thorn piercings. Toxic plants are quite rare, but it’s still important that you check over your plants just in case, as you don’t want your child accidentally coming into contact with something that could potentially be a danger to them. Be wary when purchasing new plants, as you may not be aware that something is poisonous until you get a reaction.
Final Thoughts
Remember, childproofing is an ongoing process. As your child grows and becomes more mobile, you’ll need to re-evaluate potential hazards and adjust your safety measures accordingly. By following these tips and staying vigilant, you can create a safe and secure environment where your children can explore and learn without worry.
