If you have a crawling baby, a toddling toddler, or even a curious kindergartner, you know the importance of safeguarding your home against danger. From rickety dressers to electrical outlets, all sorts of dangers lay in wait for unsuspecting youngsters. Thankfully, childproofing and organizing your home is a lot simpler than it sounds.
The following is a guide to making your home safe for your adventurous little ones.
Getting Started
First of all, in order to scope out dangers in your home, it’s a good idea to see your house from the baby’s point of view. A great way to do this is to crawl around your home, making notes as to possible hazards. Sounds silly, but it’s easy to miss potential dangers if you’re thinking like an adult.
Furniture
While dressers, bureaus and other types of heavy furniture may not seem dangerous, they can actually pose a significant threat to your child. Use drawer locks to prevent climbing and plundering, and push furniture as close to walls as possible; better yet, consider bolting furniture to walls. Also, to make storage units less top-heavy, store heavier items in the bottom shelves and drawers, and use the upper compartments for smaller items that could be hazardous to babies and children.
Sharp-edged furniture can also spell disaster for toddlers. To prevent head injuries and other accidents, use bumpers on sharp edges or place tables and shelves in out-of-the-way places until baby is a little more steady on his feet. And I would suggest you to check Kohls.com for a wide range of furniture, patio and outdoors. And to make you even more excited – at ChameleonJohn.com you will always find up-to-date furniture coupons for Kohls.com, you can get even up to 60% off on your purchase coupons to save on furniture on Kohls.
Windows
Windows and window treatments are often overlooked during the childproofing process. This can lead to a variety of hazards, including a potential fall or shattered glass. Thankfully, effectively childproofing windows can be a simple task. Check off the following points as you safeguard your home:
• – Install screens, window guards or baby gates within your window frames. This can prevent broken windows and all the hazards that can accompany them.
• – Since hanging cords can be strangulation hazards, get new window blinds that are cordless.
• – Make sure draperies aren’t within your child’s reach.
• – Keep windows locked at all times. If this isn’t possible, use safety latches that only allow windows to open a few inches.
Kitchen and Bathroom
For babies and small children, the kitchen and bathroom can be the most dangerous rooms in your home. However, the following safety measures will keep your little ones safe.
• – Install safety latches on all cabinets, drawers and toilets.
• – Keep kitchen appliances, glassware, dishes and utensils out of reach. Either store them in latched cabinets or keep them away from the edges of countertops and tables.
• – Keep bathroom doors shut at all times.
• – Use covers on all electrical outlets. This goes for the rest of the house, as well.
• – Keep things like curling irons, hair dryers and other tools out of reach, and keep children out of the bathroom when these items are in use. When these appliances are not in use, make sure they are unplugged and stored out of baby’s reach
• – Install anti-scalding devices on all faucets within baby’s reach.
Miscellaneous
Just a few more childproofing essentials, and you’re ready to relax in your ultra-safe home.
• – Secure stairways with baby gates. These devices are helpful in the kitchen and bathroom, when you’re cooking or using potentially-dangerous appliances.
• – Use doorknob covers for closets, cellars, attics, bathrooms and front and back doors. Eye-hook latches are helpful, as well!
These are just a few tips to childproof your home, simply and effectively. Do you have any more tips? Share in the comments.
Janet W. says
These are all great tips and things to think about. We actually had to get rid of some of our lamps in the family room because we couldn’t hide the cord and my grandson always wanted to pull it. We got rid of a few pieces of furniture because of sharp points.
Helga says
great tips. I have to dog proof my home as well!
Denise Taylor-Dennis says
Great tips there really is so many facets of safety to consider when you have little ones.
vegetable spiralizer as seen on tv says
Of all the kitchen gadgets I own, it’s the one I
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you how to use a spiralizer and how to spiralize specific
vegetables’like this one on spiralizing butternut squash.
Organisational Change says
Thanks for finally writing about > Childproof Your Home,
Simply and Effectively – Sippy Cup Mom < Liked it!