They may be small and cute, but children are
natural born escape artists with an innate ability to get into trouble
within seconds of being out of sight. One of the most important aspects
of being a parent is childproofing your home, so the little bundles of
joy are safe.
Each room in the home has its own set of pitfalls and dangers that make it unique as well as general safety issues that most rooms have in common. Many locks and barriers are available for parents to purchase from a store, but some protections can be done with a little ingenuity.
If they succeed, the best outcome is a mild shock that will hurt and the worst outcome, and one that far too many parents have experienced, is death. The simplest way to avoid this is to purchase plugs that stick into unused sockets. They are inexpensive and young children cannot pull them out.
As children grow, they learn how to pull out the plug. If the whole outlet isn't used, then place a plastic container over the outlet and screw it into the wall. This covers the entire outlet and the children can't take out the screws. If they manage to break the plastic, then move up to something sturdy like wood.
There are a variety of baby gates available that expand, contract and can be extended with additional panels to accommodate any size entryway. When installed properly, they are sturdy, little barriers that will keep children from leaving or entering the room.
Grooming and beauty products need to have easy access for adults, because they are often used daily. This includes everything from shaving cream and perfumes to soaps and makeup. Never leave any products on the bathroom counter. Everything should be on a shelf, out of reach of the children, preferably in a medicine cabinet.
Cleaning products should be kept under the sink in a cabinet that is locked. There are various types of cabinet locks available at most department stores.
Many people like to keep a sanitizing disk in the toilet bowl or tank. These should be removed in case the children drink from the toilet. It's not a very sanitary idea, but kids will eat or drink anything from anywhere. Colored toilet water can actually make it look more appealing and the chemicals in the sanitizer could make them very sick. Special toilet locks, which look like clamps are available for purchase if you want extra security. This is also a great security measure to keep children from drowning in the toilet bowl.
Faucets cannot be locked down, but the water heater can be reduced to a point where if a child were to turn on the hot water, it won't be scalding hot. This can also save you some money on utility bills in the long run.
Decorations hung above couches or chairs should be removed, or hung high of the ground to keep children from climbing the furniture and grabbing these knickknacks. Children tempted to climb furniture can fall and injure themselves or break a decoration and cut themselves on the shards.
Cathode ray tube televisions, also known as CRT televisions, are heavy and large. Replace them with a thin flat-screen variety, which can be mounted on the wall, or placed securely in an armoire or entertainment center that is anchored to the wall. Mount a flat screen television on a wall with the proper brackets to insure children can't push or break them as well.
Cords from entertainment systems, stereos and the like, should be tied with plastic ties to reduce the opportunity for children to wrap them around their necks or trip over. Speakers placed in the rear of the room should have their cords mounted to the walls or ceiling to keep them away from children.
Children are curious and inquisitive, and while that is good for the learning process, it can be dangerous in the home. Practicing these tips will keep your home happy and safe for your little ones and less stressful for you.
Each room in the home has its own set of pitfalls and dangers that make it unique as well as general safety issues that most rooms have in common. Many locks and barriers are available for parents to purchase from a store, but some protections can be done with a little ingenuity.
Electricity
Electricity is by far the most dangerous problem for children in homes. They have a natural curiosity and when they see a hole, they want to stick something in it. That something could be a finger, coin, toy or anything else they believe is small enough to fit into it.If they succeed, the best outcome is a mild shock that will hurt and the worst outcome, and one that far too many parents have experienced, is death. The simplest way to avoid this is to purchase plugs that stick into unused sockets. They are inexpensive and young children cannot pull them out.
As children grow, they learn how to pull out the plug. If the whole outlet isn't used, then place a plastic container over the outlet and screw it into the wall. This covers the entire outlet and the children can't take out the screws. If they manage to break the plastic, then move up to something sturdy like wood.
Stairwells and Doorways
Many times there are rooms in a home that are hardly used or that a parent just wants to keep the children out of. This could be the kitchen, dining room, sun room or any other room that may not have a door to keep children out. This also goes for any stairwells that can be a falling hazard if not blocked.There are a variety of baby gates available that expand, contract and can be extended with additional panels to accommodate any size entryway. When installed properly, they are sturdy, little barriers that will keep children from leaving or entering the room.
Bathroom
Many children love to take baths and spend time in the bathroom. When potty training, the door is often left open to allow children free access to the toilet in case they need it. The bathroom also harbors many dangers. There are many soaps and beauty products with appealing scents that children may want to eat. There are also toilet cleansers, razor blades and access to hot water taps at the faucet, bathtub and shower that can lead to potential dangers for small children.Grooming and beauty products need to have easy access for adults, because they are often used daily. This includes everything from shaving cream and perfumes to soaps and makeup. Never leave any products on the bathroom counter. Everything should be on a shelf, out of reach of the children, preferably in a medicine cabinet.
Cleaning products should be kept under the sink in a cabinet that is locked. There are various types of cabinet locks available at most department stores.
Many people like to keep a sanitizing disk in the toilet bowl or tank. These should be removed in case the children drink from the toilet. It's not a very sanitary idea, but kids will eat or drink anything from anywhere. Colored toilet water can actually make it look more appealing and the chemicals in the sanitizer could make them very sick. Special toilet locks, which look like clamps are available for purchase if you want extra security. This is also a great security measure to keep children from drowning in the toilet bowl.
Faucets cannot be locked down, but the water heater can be reduced to a point where if a child were to turn on the hot water, it won't be scalding hot. This can also save you some money on utility bills in the long run.
Living Room
The main issues with the living room involve decorations and electronic equipment. Any decorations should be high enough on the wall so that children can't reach them. Plants used for decorative purposes should be safe if accidentally eaten.Decorations hung above couches or chairs should be removed, or hung high of the ground to keep children from climbing the furniture and grabbing these knickknacks. Children tempted to climb furniture can fall and injure themselves or break a decoration and cut themselves on the shards.
Cathode ray tube televisions, also known as CRT televisions, are heavy and large. Replace them with a thin flat-screen variety, which can be mounted on the wall, or placed securely in an armoire or entertainment center that is anchored to the wall. Mount a flat screen television on a wall with the proper brackets to insure children can't push or break them as well.
Cords from entertainment systems, stereos and the like, should be tied with plastic ties to reduce the opportunity for children to wrap them around their necks or trip over. Speakers placed in the rear of the room should have their cords mounted to the walls or ceiling to keep them away from children.
Kitchen
Kitchen ovens, freezers, refrigerators and cabinets should be locked at all times. Knives and other cutlery should be placed out of reach in a locked cabinet. Cleaning supplies and dishwashing liquid should be stored out of sight inside a locked cabinet. Kitchen appliances such as toasters, coffee makers and blenders should be placed in locked cabinets, and only taken out when in use and then placed back in the cabinet.Children are curious and inquisitive, and while that is good for the learning process, it can be dangerous in the home. Practicing these tips will keep your home happy and safe for your little ones and less stressful for you.