Making sure your new home is safe for your whole family? If you’ve got kids just getting curious about the world, remembering these three childproofing guidelines can keep your home a safe and happy place for them.
Protect Children From Dangers At Their Eye Level
The first step of childproofing your new home starts with the simple stuff. Think about the dangerous things at a child’s eye-level. Add plug caps or plate covers to electrical outlets, corner guards to the sharp corners of tables, and make sure that breakables are stored high and out of reach.
Secure Dangerous Substances and Appliances
The second danger to check for is poisonous substances and other serious dangers that could pose a threat to your child. If you’ve got any cleaning products in low cabinets, make sure you secure them with childproofing cabinet locks. Do you take any prescription pills? Rethink keeping them in your bathroom, and instead store them in a high shelf in your kitchen, far away from where little ones can reach them.
Designate Adults-Only Areas...And Partition Them Off
If you’ve got walking toddlers who may not understand what they’re getting into, invest in toddler gates for adults-only areas, and fences for any outdoor areas you don’t want your children getting into. If you new home has a pool, and there is no lockable fence or gate separating it from your house, your number one priority should be ensuring that your children do not have independent access to the pool, as it poses a significant danger to them if left unattended. Small children can often be too curious for their own good, so it's our job to make sure that we create a safe space for them to learn and grow. Fortunately, with some forethought, you can do just that!
What did your toddler get into? In the comments, leave me one thing you wish you’d childproofed a little better, and help other parents create safer homes!