No parent wants to think about their child being harmed. Unfortunately, there could be potential dangers in every room of a house or condo. The good news? You can eliminate these hazards quickly and without much expense.
Whether you’re just moving into a new home or trying to make your existing space safer, here are some tips you can use to kid-proof every room.
Living room
Your living room doesn’t contain the obvious hazards that your kitchen or bathroom does, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe for your little one. Here are a few potential dangers that you may not have thought of.
Electrical outlets
Purchase plastic safety covers for electrical outlets and power strips.
Television
Keep your television mounted to the wall so that there’s no chance it can fall or be pulled down.
Cords for blinds and curtains
Tie up any cords and drawstrings used to open your blinds. If small children can reach them, they may pose a strangulation risk.
Coffee tables
Many coffee tables have points and sharp edges. Keep a close eye on kids when they’re playing near this type of furniture, and consider buying a table with soft edges and rounded corners.
Picture frames
Keep picture frames out of reach. They can be pulled down, knocking children on the head and even resulting in broken glass.
Kitchen
The kitchen can be an especially risky room for small children. In addition to teaching and reinforcing kitchen safety to your kids starting at a young age, here are a few precautions you can take to prevent burns and other injuries.
Restrict Access
Use a safety gate to prevent kids from entering the kitchen when you’re not looking.
Stove & Oven
Remove knobs from your oven and stove when you’re not using them. When you’re cooking, make sure pot and pan handles are always turned inwards, where small hands can’t grab at them.
Refrigerator
Some of the items in your fridge (such as white wine) can be harmful to children. Consider installing a childproof latch on your fridge door.
Cabinets
Most homeowners keep their cleaning supplies and garbage can in a floor-level kitchen cabinet. Perform a bit of online research to find devices for securing these cabinets. Options include magnetic, adhesive, and spring release locks.
Cutlery & electrical appliances
Put sharp cutlery and electrical appliances away after use. Ensure that cords aren’t left dangling off of counters or tabletops.
Bathroom
It goes with saying that young children should never be left in the bathtub alone. But there are other potential bathroom dangers that parents are less likely to consider. Here are just a few.
Faucets
Install anti-scald devices on sink and bathtub faucets if your child can reach them.
Cabinets & Drawers
Floor-level bathroom cabinets and drawers within reach often contain cleaning products, medication bottles, razors, and other dangerous items. Use childproof cabinet locks, and ensure that anything you want to keep out of your child’s hands is stored in locked areas.
Appliances with cords
Hairdryers and other appliances that heat up can pose a risk—especially when they’re used near the sink. Keep these items unplugged and safely tucked away in childproof cabinets when they’re not in use.
Nursery or bedroom
Making children’s nurseries and bedrooms secure is an absolute must, since these are the only rooms where they’ll spend long periods of time on their own. Here are a few tips for making sure these spaces are safe.
Crib
If you have a baby, ensure that their crib is near the bedroom door so that you can reach them quickly in an emergency. Keep the crib away from windows, since your little one may be tempted to explore.
Other furniture
Dressers and bookshelves can tip over, so ensure that these items are secured to your walls using furniture straps.
Toy box
If you have a toy box with a lid, ensure that it’s spring loaded so that it can’t fall on small hands.
Emergency precautions
For peace of mind, ensure that you have a functioning carbon monoxide and smoke detector in your child’s room. These detectors should also be placed in various places around your home.
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