If you have a little one on the way, or already have a couple of children running around, there may be dangers lurking around your home you’re not even aware of both inside and outside of your home. Millions of children get hurt every year under their parents’ own nose, and sometimes it’s unavoidable. Keeping track of every little thing is a challenge, but with these helpful tips, you can start making your home more child-friendly and hopefully avoid any accidents.
Inside
Rounded Furniture
Luckily, many furniture stores make rounded furniture nowadays specifically to promote child safety. You may want to start thinking about those sharp corners on your kitchen counter, cabinets, dining table, coffee tables, end tables and even your couches and chairs. Buy a circular dining table or coffee table instead to limit the risk of your child bumping into it and hurting themselves. Countertops, including granite, laminate, or whatever other material you have, can easily be made to be rounded.
Carpet & Vinyl Flooring
As your toddler learns to walk, there may be some tumbles along the way (and maybe you’re clumsy too!), so think about the flooring in your home and how you can make it soft. If you have hardwood, purchase plush carpets to help cushion their fall. If you want to redo your flooring, have carpet installed in the whole room, or vinyl flooring. I know … vinyl flooring is probably making you think of the 70s, but now you can actually purchase vinyl flooring that looks like hardwood!
Stock Up On Storage Bins
Toys, toys, toys … they’re everywhere! The solution? Storage bins. They come in many shapes, designs, and sizes, so they can still be aesthetically pleasing all while keeping the toys at bay. By leaving toys lying around, an accident is bound to happen, whether you, or your child, trips.
Childproof Locks/Guards
Childproof locks or guards can be purchased for many different things – the toilet, door handles, kitchen cabinet handles, the stove, windows, outlets/plugs, for their bed rails, and more. This is important for a number of reasons:
- They could get a hold of your medications
- They could get a hold of kitchen or bathroom cleaners
- They could grab and break any glassware/dishes
- Fall out of their bed or a window
- Stick their fingers in an outlet
- Get their hands on your makeup and think it looks rather yummy
- Accidentally turn the stove on or open the hot oven door
- Open the cellar door and fall down the stairs
Outside
Safety Gates
Safety gates can be used both inside and outside of your home. If you have a deck and don’t want your child to leave the deck, put a safety guard at the stairs. This is especially important if you have an ungated pool area, have recently sprayed your lawn with any chemicals or treatments, or plan on mowing the lawn. Create a designated and comfortable play area for them on the deck with a rubber play-mat. Play areas don’t just have to be for inside!
Snow Plow Around Your Home
If your child loves to play outside in the snow, it’s important they understand their boundaries. Climbing on top of large piles of snow isn’t safe, as they can fall through. By plowing your driveway, patio, or pathways around your home, they can still play outside in the snow, but in the designated areas you’ve cleared for them. Make sure there isn’t ice underneath either. You don’t want them (or yourself!) to slip and get injured. Clearing a designated path with a snowblower will be a lot easier than using a shovel. It will also be quicker too! But choosing the right snow blower can be hard, which is why we’ve provided a list of the best snowblowers for you.
Get Rid Of Stumps
If you’ve recently removed a tree in your yard, the next step will be to remove any stumps left over. They’re a tripping hazard and as children are running around the yard playing, they may not even notice it sticking up. You can rent stump grinders yourself, or have a professional remove it for you.
There is a lot to think about when it comes to childproofing your home. Will every single accident be 100% avoidable? Absolutely not, but these are great first steps in decreasing the risk of a serious injury.
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