MAKING YOUR HOME SAFE FOR CHILDREN

Children are curious little beings, and while that’s exactly what makes watching them grow through their initial years such a memorable experience, it is also one of the reasons why they always end up hurting themselves. Make your home a safe haven for your little ones. As parents, we need to be extra careful childproof your entire home.

General Tips

• Use safety plugs on all unused electrical outlets to prevent children from trying to stick their fingers in. Unplug all electrical appliances when not in use.
• Power cords should not run under rugs as rugs can pose as a tripping hazard.
• Items like toys, plastic bags, balloons and other small items that could pose as a choking hazard should be kept away.
• Use window guards or railings, especially for those on higher grounds.
• Install smoke detectors at every level of your home. Test it monthly and change the batteries once a year. Avoid disabling it even for a short period of time.

Kitchen

• Keep sharp kitchen utensils (i.e knives, forks, scissors, etc), matches and lighters out of children’s reach. Ensure they are placed in a drawer with a safety latch.
• Never leave toxic household chemicals unattended when children are around and lock them safely in a cabinet.
• Turn pot and pan handles inward and away from the front of the stove to avoid accidentally knocking it off.
• Don’t use a tablecloth as kids can pull the edge of the tablecloth and spill hot fluids over themselves.
• Keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen and make sure the adults know how to properly operate it.

Bathroom

• Keep a non-skid mat on the floor to keep the bathroom floor dry and to prevent any falls.
• Keep all buckets empty and turn them over when not in use as even an inch of water can create a drowning risk for young children.
• Pay extra attention to your kids when they are in the bathtub and never leave them alone. Drain the tub when not in use.
• Use toilet seat locks to prevent toddlers from drowning.
• Use doorknob covers on bathroom doors so that kids don’t open and close on their own and accidentally slamming their fingers. Alternatively, use door stoppers.

Bedroom

• Keep curtain and blind cords away from kids by using cleats to prevent the risk of accidental strangulation.
• If your child owns a toy box, make sure the lid is lightweight so that it does not easily trap your child inside or install a safety hinge that holds the lid open.
• Keep the bed away from windows.
• Remove toys, extra pillows, stuffed animals and loose blankets from the bed as these items could pose a suffocation hazards.
• Use bunk bed only for older kids.

Family Room

• Cover furniture edges and corners with cover bumpers to prevent injuries.
• Secure large TVs and other heavy furniture with a wall strap to ensure safety and stability.
• Keep cords for curtains and blinds out of children’s sight.
• Ensure none of the electrical cords are frayed or cracked and kept out of children’s reach.
• Place furniture away from windows as this prevents a child from climbing up on the furniture and falling out of the window.
• Keep all house plants out of the reach of children.
• Remove loose rugs or secure them to the floor by taping it.

Be Prepared for Emergencies

Keep a list of emergency contact list on your phone or post it on your fridge where it is visible for everyone. This should include your home address and all emergency phone numbers. It is beneficial for parents to learn how to perform basic first aid or CPR. Every household should also have first aid supplies kit.

Lastly, it’s all about being extra vigilant. Accidents do happen, but as long as you take necessary precautions, the chances of any accidents, can be reduced drastically.

Keep your home a safe environment and space for your child to grow up in!