Keep Your Children Safe: 10 Ways To Child-Proof Your Home
One of the primary goals of parenthood is that keeping your children healthy and safe. As they start to crawl and then toddle around the house there are concerns that arise. It’s crucial to start the process of child-proofing. As there are dangers just about everywhere in the home, it takes a fair bit of planning and forethought to completely child-proof it. Before you even get started, take the time to get down on your hands and knees and survey the house. This will help give you an idea as to what you need to focus on. Consider the following 10 ways to child-proof your home to help keep your little one safe.
Electrical Outlets
One of the most crucial things to consider when child-proofing your home is electrical outlets. As your child starts to crawl and ultimately walk, those outlets are right in their line of sight. There are plugs that you can put right into the outlets. If you are using the outlets, there are protective covers that you can use to keep kids from removing them.
Corner Bumpers
When kids start pulling themselves up on coffee tables, and “cruising” around them before walking, it is prime time for them to fall down and whack their heads on the corners of coffee tables. Take heart that you don’t have to get rid of the table. Instead, put bumpers on the corners of coffee tables and other furniture as a way to prevent your little one from hurting himself.
Safety Latches
As kids start to explore their surroundings, it’s crucial to put safety latches on every cabinet and drawer that your child could access. Otherwise they might end up getting into dangerous products or items.
Baby Gates
Installing safety gates throughout your home is essential for child-proofing. That is especially the case if you have stairs. You should put one gate at the top of the stairs and one at the bottom of the stairs. It’s also a good idea to put baby gates in rooms that you don’t want the child to enter. Baby gates work well in sliding glass doors as well.
Doorknob Covers
Covering up the doorknobs also helps keep kids away from harmful areas and from going in and out of bedrooms or kitchens. Doorknob covers are crucial if you have a child that likes to open the door and run outside.
Window Blinds
The cords used for window blinds are absolutely dangerous for children as they can lead to strangulation. Always make sure that the cords are up and not accessible for children. Put brackets in place next to the blinds and place the cords up there. Make sure to always lock the blinds so that they stay in one position.
Secure Furniture
Use brackets to anchor furniture to the walls, especially heavy furniture, such as bookshelves and entertainment centers. That way when kids are playing near it or pull themselves up on it they don’t accidentally pull the furniture down on top of themselves.
Toilet Latches
Consider using toilet latches to secure toilet lids to keep them closed. That way there aren’t any drowning risks, and you won’t have to worry about your child playing in or touching disgusting toilet water.
Knob Covers
The stove is absolutely a dangerous appliance for little ones to be around. For best results, child-proof it by covering the knobs on the stove. It’s best to keep children away from stoves at all possible. However, knob covers can help mitigate disasters.
Cleaning Products
It’s ideal to put as many cleaning products out of the way as possible. That’s true for anything that can be harmful to kids. Even with latches on the cabinets, it’s best to put away all cleaning products and harmful chemicals up and away from where little hands can touch them.
