Did you know that most child injuries occur in the home? To reduce to risk of accidents, the premises should be made as safe as they can be for the youngest occupants.
While adult supervision is the best protection, it is possible to adapt your residence to prevent mishaps.
Where to Start?
Falls generally occur in stairwells. Most parents prefer to set up gates both at the bottom and top of the steps. For the bottom, a pressure-mounted gate is sufficient. For the top, you will need to install a system that firmly screws into the wall or stair post with anchors.
Occasionally, a safety measure can pose a risk in the long run. For example, the gate you placed at the top of the stairs to prevent a crawling baby from tumbling down can become a two-year-old toddler’s favourite climbing structure.
Your Child’s Point of View
By getting down on the floor, you will have a clearer view of all the potential dangers your child might encounter. Which drawers and cabinets can they access? These will need to be secured first.
Might they knock their head on any sharp corners, around the living room coffee table or the fireplace, for example? Install corner guards designed to prevent this kind of injury. You must likewise be vigilant regarding choking hazards when it comes to very young children. Store tiny objects, like the older kids’ miniature toy parts on the top shelves. Batteries and magnets are especially dangerous if swallowed.
Monitor what enters your home, including your bags and visitors’ purses. They may contain small articles, and so must equally be kept out of your little one’s inquisitive hands.
Health Hazards
Medication must be kept under lock and key, and out of kids’ reach. Install a smoke and carbon monoxide detector in every bedroom and on each storey. Young children can drown in only a few inches of water, so never leave them unsupervised in the bath. Finally, get rid of any toxic plants.
The Risks of Falling Furniture
All tall pieces of furniture, such as bookcases, dressers and shelving units must be anchored to the wall, especially in a kid’s bedroom. Amateur climbers are particularly attracted to these types of furnishings, which could tip over and fall on top of them if not securely attached. Place floor lamps behind sofas to keep your toddler from pulling them down.
Ladder Substitutes
To a child, all objects are potential aids to vertical exploration. To avoid falls or to stop them from reaching a hazard like an electrical outlet or a bath filled with water, eliminate anything that could be used as a stepladder. Additionally, all outlets should be equipped with covers or plates.
Remember that childproofing a home is an ongoing process. You will have to reassess your strategies as your little one grows, develops new abilities and, most crucially, outdoes your efforts to keep them safe!
Most importantly, never forget that no accident prevention measure is effective 100% of the time. These devices are said to slow kids down by about five minutes. There is no substitute for an adult’s watchful eye!