You know what it’s like being a parent. Sometimes, you have to be on permanent guard to prevent your little one from touching something they shouldn’t. With their wandering feet and exploring hands, your children are curious little monkeys, especially in their early years. Home safety is important, and when your children aren’t old enough to understand the difference between what is safe and what is dangerous, you need to do all you can to protect them. A lot of it is common sense, but if you need a refresher, here is are five places to start.
1. Keep a tidy floor space
Okay, so it’s not easy keeping a tidy house when there are kids around, but the floor space is especially dangerous for small children. Small items are choking hazards, so they need to be removed as soon as possible. Kids are also prone to tripping over toys and wires, so you should set up a designated play area which is limited to a safe part of the room, and away from hard furniture.
2. Child-proof the kitchen
Every room of your home needs to be child-proofed, but the kitchen is particularly dangerous. From pots and pans on the stove to chemicals in your cupboards, you need to make sure everything is out of reach from prying hands and hungry mouths. Always store poisonous substances in hard to reach cupboards, or at least put a lock on the door. Turn pan handles inwards, so your child isn’t tempted to reach for them. See the room through a child’s eyes and do all you can to create a safer place.
3. Secure doors and windows
You don’t want your child falling out of an open window or wandering outside through an open door, so be sure to keep them closed. You should keep them locked too, especially at night. Your child may not be old enough to wander downstairs, but you need to keep your family safe from intruders who may want to steal or cause your kids harm. A burglar alarm system is also a must for added security.
4. Venturing outside
You don’t want to keep your kids indoors all day, so it’s perfectly fine to let them play in your garden. However, you will need to keep an eye on them. Considering there are a lot of hazards in the garden, such as poisonous and prickly plants, you may want to hire a firm to build a deck, creating a safer playing space. At the very least, keep a tidy lawn, removing any unsafe obstacles, such as stones and other debris. You should also place rubber mats under play equipment, especially if you have a hard ground surface.
5. Learn first aid
While you can childproof your home and garden as much as possible, you can’t foresee every accident that might take place. However, learning first aid is something we should all do. When your child starts to choke, or cuts their knee on something sharp, having the skills to know what to do could be a lifesaver. On this note, always make sure your first-aid kit is fully replenished, and make a list of medical numbers for emergencies.
Final thoughts
There is a lot to consider when keeping your children safe, and much more than we have mentioned here. As well as using your common sense, read what you can to give you the tools to know how to create a safer environment. Happy parenting!
