Children enjoy exploring the world around them. They love to touch, taste, smell and see new things. As a parent, it is vital to provide your child with opportunities to explore their environment, especially their home.
Homes are the first environment that every child is exposed to and significantly impact their development. A child’s home should be a safe place where they can explore and play. It should be a place where they feel loved and supported. However, it can also be dangerous for them if the home isn’t childproofed.
About 9,000 children die from injuries, some of them happening inside their homes. Many more suffer from less fatal injuries, but they are still injuries. If you want to avoid this happening to your child, here are seven ways you can childproof your home.
Do a risk assessment of your home
The first step to childproofing your home is to do a risk assessment. A risk assessment means looking around your home and identifying all the potential hazards that could hurt your child. Once you have identified the hazards, you can start to take steps to eliminate them or at least reduce the risks.
You should also include specific protocols during the risk assessment of your home. Keep in mind certain accidents that might happen and what you can do afterward. Doing this can help create a safer environment for your child.
Eliminate potential hazards
After you have identified the potential hazards in your home, the next step is to take action and eliminate them. If there are items in your home that could hurt your child, get rid of them.
You should also be aware of small items that your child could choke on. Keep these items out of reach or in a safe place where your child can’t get to them. It might be better not to purchase small items entirely, as they can be a choking hazard for young children.
Make sure all electrical outlets have covers
Another hazard that you should be aware of is electrical outlets. Children love to put their fingers in these, and they can get electrocuted if they’re not careful. To avoid this, make sure all the electrical outlets in your home have covers. You can buy outlet covers at most hardware stores.
In addition to outlet covers, you should also get rid of any loose cords in your home. Children can trip on these cords and hurt themselves. If you have cables that you can’t get rid of, make sure they are out of your child’s reach. You can also avoid one of the top causes of residential fires by doing these.
Install Fences and Gates
If you have a pool or other body of water on your property, it is essential to install fences and gates around it. This will help prevent your child from getting into the water and drowning.
You should also install fences and gates around any off-limits areas to your child, especially if you have a significant road outside your front lawn. One of the best gates you should consider installing is robust Trex gates. These gates are 6’8 tall, meaning that no children can climb over them. Plus, they can practically last forever, with very little need for maintenance. If you want to save money while keeping your children safe, ensure to install this kind of gate.
Keep poisonous chemicals out of reach
If you have any poisonous chemicals in your home, it is essential to keep them out of your child’s reach. These chemicals can be found in cleaning supplies, pest control products, and even some cosmetics.
To keep these chemicals out of reach, you should store them in high cabinets or a locked cupboard. You should also put labels on these products so that your child knows not to touch them.
Have working smoke detectors
Another way to childproof your home is to have working smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are an essential safety device in every house, and they can help save lives.
You should install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basement. You should also test them regularly to make sure they’re working.
In addition to having working smoke detectors, you should also have a fire escape plan. This plan should include two ways to get out of every room in your home. You should also practice this plan with your family so that everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire.
Avoid Furniture With Sharp Edges
If you have any furniture with sharp edges, it is essential to remove it or cover the edges. This is because children can hurt themselves if they run into these kinds of furniture.
You should also avoid unstable furniture. This kind of furniture can tip over and hurt your child. To prevent this, make sure all the furniture in your home is stable and not likely to tip over.
Childproofing your home is essential to keeping your child safe. By taking these steps, you can help reduce the risks of accidents and injuries in your home.
