When you have small children in the house, it is crucial to “child proof” your home. It is amazing the things that little kids can find to get into; and many such things are potential hazards.
In the kitchen it is important to make sure that all knives are kept well out of reach, and that child proof locks are kept on any cabinet doors that may be concealing anything such as household cleaners, electric utensils that utilize cords, etc. It is also wise to have a stove guard that will protect little fingers from being burned when the stove is in use. When cooking with pots and pans, make sure that all handles are pointed away from the front and sides of the stove where a small child may have access to them.
In the bathroom, even though you have all that ample cabinet space under the sink, it is not the place to store soaps, shampoos and other chemicals that could be poisonous to a child if swallowed. This low space is best used to store washrags and towels, as these items pose no threat to a curious child. Personal hygiene items should be kept in a high cabinet, preferably with a lock, especially if your youngster is a climber! Also, if your little one is old enough to get themselves in and out of the tub, make sure that your hot water heater is not set high enough to produce scalding water out of the tap, and don’t forget to place those non-skid pads inside the bathtub to prevent nasty falls.
In the child’s bedroom, make sure that there are no toys that are small enough to be placed into the mouth. Check their toy box on a regular basis for hazards, as there is no telling what they may get their hands on and stash in there. Any cords attached to blinds or curtains should be cut and wrapped at the top, well out of the child’s reach, so as to prevent them from getting the cord wrapped around their necks. Also check the space between the bed and the wall; there have been many reported fatalities of children rolling off of the bed and becoming wedged in this small, suffocating space.
Throughout the rest of the house, all of the aforementioned rules apply. In addition, all doors leading out of the house should contain a highly placed deadbolt lock, which will prevent the child from leaving the house without your knowledge. Utilize safety plugs in all of the electrical outlets, and make sure that any toxic plants are kept outdoors.
It is best not to have glass top tables in the same house as small children, but if you must, place leather corner protectors around all corners.
While it may seem a little time consuming, making sure your house is safe for the little ones is your ultimate responsibility, and you will sleep better at night knowing that you have taken all the precautionary measures to keep your youngsters healthy, safe and happy.
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