Making your home safe for your kids is a top priority for any parent. It can be tough to know where to start, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! In this blog post, we will discuss 10 ways that you can make your home safer for your kids. Keep reading to learn more!
10 Ways To Make Your Home Safer For Kids
Kids are naturally curious creatures and often don’t know what is safe or what isn’t. It’s important to take precautions to make sure your home is safe for them to explore. Here are 15 ways to make your home safer for your kids:
1. Get Rid Of Any Potential Choking Hazards
Every parent wants their home to be a safe haven for their children. Getting rid of any choking hazards is part of ensuring your home is safe. Choking is one of the leading causes of death in children under five, so it is important to take measures to prevent it.
Some common choking hazards include small toys, coins, buttons, and jewellery. Keep these items out of reach of small children, or better yet, get rid of them altogether. You should also regularly check your home for any other potential choking hazards and take steps to remove them.
2. Install Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detectors
One of your top priorities as a parent is keeping your child safe. You take measures to protect them from household hazards. Therefore, it’s so important to install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These devices can detect dangerous gases long before they reach harmful levels, giving you time to evacuate your home before anyone gets hurt.
In addition, many detectors now come equipped with alarms that will alert you even if you’re not at home. So whether you’re up late working or out running errands, you can rest assured that your family is safe and sound.
3. Keep Medicines And Dangerous Chemicals Out Of Reach
A safe home environment is essential for any family with young children. According to the National Safety Council, there are several common hazards that parents should be aware of, including leaving pills and chemicals within reach of toddlers. This can lead to accidental poisoning, which can be extremely dangerous.
Parents should always store pills and chemicals in high cupboards or cabinets, out of reach of young children to prevent this. Additionally, it is important to lock these cabinets after use to ensure that children cannot access them. By taking these simple precautions, parents can help create a safe and healthy home environment for their families.
4. Cover Electrical Outlets
One of the best ways to childproof your home is to put safety caps, also called plug covers, on all your electrical outlets. These caps help to prevent curious little fingers from poking around in the outlet and getting electrocuted.
In addition, it’s important to keep cords and outlets out of reach of children. Cords can be a strangulation hazard, and outlets should never be treated as toys. Cord holders can keep cords organized and away from curious hands.
5. Use Child-proof Locks On Doors And Cabinets
As any parent knows, keeping track of a small child in the home can be difficult. They move quickly and are often curious about the world around them, which can lead to dangerous situations. One way to help keep your child safe is to use child-proof locks on doors and cabinets. These locks are designed to be difficult for children to open but easy for adults.
Using these locks can help prevent your child from getting into dangerous or harmful situations. Child-proof locks can also help protect your belongings from being damaged or destroyed by curious little hands. Whether you have a young child or are simply looking for an extra layer of protection, child-proof locks are essential to keeping your home safe.
6. Keep Sharp Objects Out Of Reach
It’s important to keep sharp objects out of reach, especially if you have small children. Even something as simple as a kitchen knife can pose a serious danger if it falls into the wrong hands. Sharp objects can cause cuts and puncture wounds and can also be used to threaten or harm others.
If you’re unsure where to keep your sharp objects, it’s best to err on caution and store them in a locked cabinet or drawer. That way, you can rest assured that they’ll be out of reach and out of harm’s way.
7. Use Gates To Restrict Access To Certain Areas
In any home, certain areas are off-limits to children. Whether it’s the kitchen stove or the top of the stairs, these areas can seriously harm curious young minds. One way to help keep children safe is to use gates to restrict access to these areas. Gates can be placed at the entrance to a room or at the top and bottom of a staircase. They provide a physical barrier that children cannot easily overcome.
In addition, gates can be used to create a safe play area for children. By enclosing a small space with gates, parents can rest assured that their children will not wander off into dangerous territory. When used correctly, gates can be an effective tool for keeping children safe at home.
8. Fix The Drawer And Door Stoppers
Keeping little ones safe is a top priority for any parent or caregiver. One hazard often overlooked is the danger posed by open drawers and doors. Children can easily become trapped inside, leading to severe injuries or death.
To help prevent these accidents, installing stoppers on all doors and drawers is important. These devices are inexpensive, easy to install, and can make a big difference in keeping children safe. This simple step can help protect your child from harm and give you peace of mind.
9. Keep Poisonous Plants Out Of Reach
If you have young children in your home, it’s essential to be aware of the dangers posed by common houseplants. Many of these plants are poisonous if ingested; some can cause serious health problems if touched or inhaled.
In some cases, even the sap can be poisonous if it comes into contact with the skin. While most kids will steer clear of these plants independently, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you’re concerned about a particular plant, either keep it out of reach or remove it from your home altogether.
10. Do Not Place Climbable Furniture Close To Windows
One potential hazard many parents may not consider is climbable furniture placed near windows. This can be a recipe for disaster, as children may attempt to climb the furniture to reach the window. If the window is open, they could fall out and hurt themselves.
Likewise, if the window is closed, they could become trapped between the furniture and the window, resulting in serious injury. For these reasons, it is essential to ensure that any climbable furniture in your home is kept away from windows. By taking this simple precaution, you can help to keep your children safe from harm.
11. Keep Your Child Away From Fire And Hot Surfaces
As any parent knows, keeping children safe is a top priority. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and one of the most common ways young children get hurt is by coming into contact with hot food or drinks. In fact, scalds are one of the leading causes of burns in children. To prevent these accidents, it is essential to keep hot food and drinks away from and out of reach of children. If you are holding your child while eating or drinking something hot, set them down in a safe place where they cannot reach the item.
Additionally, always test the bath water temperature before bathing children; the safest bath temperature is 37-38°C. You can achieve this temperature by having the hot water delivered to your bathroom at a maximum of 50°C and mixing in some cold water. These simple tips can help keep your children safe from scalds and burns.
12. Keep Plastic Bags Away
As any parent knows, children can be inquisitive creatures. They love to explore their surroundings and touch everything they see. Unfortunately, this can often lead to accidents, such as when a child puts a plastic bag over their head.
Plastic bags can be hazardous for children, as they can easily block airflow and cause suffocation. Even if a child does not put a plastic bag over their head, they can still choke on the small parts of the bag. For these reasons, it is essential to always keep plastic bags away from children. The best way to do this is to store them in a safe place, out of reach of curious little hands.
13. Keep Furniture That Won’t Easily Topple
As a parent, your first priority is always your child’s safety. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and the little things often pose the most significant threats. That’s why it’s essential to be careful when choosing furniture for your home. Always opt for quality over quantity, and ensure your pieces are made from sturdy materials such as wood or steel.
Corner-and-edge protectors are a great way to add an extra layer of protection, and tall lamps and vases should be avoided altogether. Taking a few simple precautions can help create a safe environment for your family.
14. Drain-All Water Containers That Your Child May Stumble Into
Many parents assume their children will be safe if they have a locked door between them and the pool, hot tub, or bathtub. But even an inch of water can be deadly for a small child. That’s why keeping doors locked and emptying all water containers after use is so important. It only takes a moment for a curious child to find their way into a potentially dangerous situation, so it’s essential to do everything possible to reduce the risk.
In addition to locks and vigilance, consider other home safety improvements, such as installing alarms on doors leading to the pool area or investing in swimming lessons for your family. By taking these simple steps, you can help keep your family safe and prevent a devastating accident.
15. Install Security Devices In The House
No matter how safe you think your home is, there will always be one tiny loophole that may crush all your efforts. Most of the time, that loophole can be mended by reinforcing your home security system. To keep you and your children safe, you should install a security system to keep intruders out for good. It’s an essential safety measure that every house should have. At the very least, you should have security cameras to watch your child while they’re home alone or sleeping.
For an extra layer of protection, you can also get a home alarm system that will notify the police if someone breaks into your house. Many different types of security systems are available on the market, so you can find one that fits your needs and budget. By taking these simple steps, you can help to keep your family safe from harm.
Conclusion
There is no such thing as a perfectly safe home. However, taking some simple precautions can help make your home safer for your family. Always be aware of potential hazards and take steps to reduce the risk of accidents. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.