There are so many fancy gadgets that you can buy to childproof your home, it is difficult to know where to start. Additionally you may live in a place that presents specific challenges when it comes to childproofing. As everyone’s situation is different there are a lot of decisions and creative choices that you may need to explore. To get you started thinking about the most basic of childproofing methods, here are some tips for childproofing your home.
Close the doors (childproof door handles for toddlers)
One of the easiest things that you can do when childproofing is to simply keep the doors closed to the rooms that present safety risks to your children. It is easy and does not cost any money to do. Get yourself into the habit of closing the door after you have visited the restroom and any other rooms where little hands could cause harm. When your children become a little older and learn how to open door you will need to purchase door knob covers to continue to keep your children out of certain rooms.
Outlet covers
Outlet covers are very affordable and take no time to put up in your home. Outlet covers protect your child from electrical shock if they were to try to wedge something into the socket (including little fingers.)
Latches and locks
Some of the most dangerous things that we store in our homes are usually low to the ground. This includes soaps, cleaners, and even poisons. If moving these products and other dangerous items to a higher place is not possible, you need to invest in latches and locks for your cabinets. Latches and locks are easy to install and to work with. Adults possess the dexterity to still be able to open the cabinets, but to children access is extremely difficult. The concept of having latches and locks applies to just about everything in your house with a lid or door. This includes the toilet, oven and dishwasher doors, etc.
Keep the floors clear
A clean home is not only aesthetically appealing but it helps to promote safety as well. Floors that are clear of toys and other debris prevent tripping and slipping.
Pad corners
Look around your house for sharp corners on furniture. If you cannot move the furniture into a safer area or at least a lower traffic area, there are foam bumpers that can be purchased to pad these items in your home.
Get down to their level
Since every home is different it can be difficult to know exactly what you should be doing to childproof the areas in your house. After you have applied the childproofing techniques mentioned above, test your work. Get down on your hands and knees and try to make a mess and see if there are still any dangers present. Think as a child would as you crawl around your house. Is there anything that they can climb on? Are there towels or clothes hanging on anything that could hurt your child if they were given a tug?
Sometimes the hardest childproofing lessons are learned when your child does in fact get hurt. I do not know of a parent who has a child that has never been hurt at home. Most parents do all that they knew of to childproof their house and still their child finds a way to get hurt. It is unrealistic to have the expectation that your child is never going to get hurt. It is, however, perfectly reasonable to expect to protect your home to the point that the more serious threats to safety are eliminated. Childproofing is not for protecting your child from bumps and bruises; it is for keeping them out of a more serious and even life threatening dangerous situation.
Parenting viewpoints from parents in the trenches, because parenting doesn’t come with a manual. In addition to