Many children are injured at home. Parents and caregivers could have prevented many of these injuries with a little more care. As a parent, it is important to childproof your home to avoid accidents and injuries and give you peace of mind.
Here are 25 childproofing tips for your home. Remember to use common sense and keep an eye on your kids at all times, as no amount of childproofing can ever guarantee their safety 100%.
1. Flooring
If your home has marble or cement flooring, this can be dangerous when children slip and fall. Get flooring installers to cover it with slip-proof vinyl tiles. These are still just as low maintenance.
2. Bathroom
Ensure that bathroom tiles are slip-proof, as well, especially when wet. Falls are common in bathrooms.
3. Bathtub
Install a bathtub mat and gripping strips to prevent children from slipping and getting injured.
4. Sinks
Install a sink stopper to prevent children from getting their hands and hair caught in the drain. Do this in the bathroom and the kitchen.
5. Loose Rugs
Loose rugs can be a tripping hazard for small children, so secure them to the floor with tape or rug grippers.
6. Furniture
Make sure all furniture is stable and cannot be easily toppled over by children. If you have any sharp edges on furniture, cover them with padding. You can buy decorative or clear corner guards for tables.
7. Fireplaces
Install a fireplace screen to stop children from being injured by sparks or hot embers.
8. Cabinets
Install cabinet locks to prevent children from opening cabinets and accessing dangerous items such as knives and scissors.
9. Doors
Install door stoppers so that children cannot slam doors shut, hurt their fingers, or hit their heads.
10. Windows
Window sills can be dangerous for young children who stand on them to look out the window. Install window guards or covers to stop them from doing this. That prevents children from falling out of windows, a common cause of injury.
11. Stairs
If your home has stairs, install gates at the top and bottom to prevent children from falling.
12. Kitchen
Install a kitchen gate to stop children from entering and getting injured by hot oven doors or spilled hot liquids.
13. Laundry Room
Place all laundry products in locked cabinets out of reach of children. If you use a front loading washing machine, keep the laundry room locked because children can get trapped in it.
14. Basement
The basement can be a dangerous place for children if it is not properly childproofed. Install a door to the basement and keep it locked.
15. Garage
Make sure the door to the garage is always locked. For added safety, store all hazardous items in locked cabinets.
16. Backyard
Make sure the backyard is childproof by installing a fence around it. Fence off wells and other hazards, too. Do not leave items like a lawnmower and gardening tools lying around.
17. Pool Area
If you have a pool, ensure it is fenced off and has childproof gates to keep children from wandering into it unsupervised.
18. Heaters
Heaters can also be dangerous for children if they are unsupervised, so make sure they are out of reach.
19. Radiators
Radiators can get very hot, so cover them with a guard to prevent children from touching them and getting burned.
20. Electrical Appliances
Electrical appliances can be dangerous for children if they are unsupervised. Unplug appliances when not in use and store them out of reach.
21. Electric fans
Children can put their tiny hands through the grills of an electric fan and get hurt by its blades. Find a childproof cover that can work while the fan is in operation. Better yet, use a wall fan or a ceiling fan.
22. Electrical Cords
Put safety covers on electrical cords to prevent children from chewing on them and getting electric shocks.
23. Curtains
Curtains can be a strangulation hazard, so make sure they are hung high enough so that children cannot reach them.
24. Toys
Store toys away when not used to minimize the risk of injury from tripping over them.
25. Chemicals and Medications
Store all household chemicals and medications in locked cabinets out of reach of children.
There are many ways to childproof your home, and the best way to do it is by using a combination of tips. The most important things to childproof are sharp edges on furniture, cabinets with dangerous items inside, windows, stairs, and the kitchen. It is also vital to childproof the backyard by installing a fence around it and around pools and other hazards. Finally, make sure you store all hazardous items in locked cabinets out of reach of children. Using these tips will help keep your child safe and prevent them from getting injured.
