Toddlers are extremely unpredictable. Because they’re so mobile yet have so little control over their bodies, they can easily get hurt. If you’re searching for ways to make your home safer for your toddler as well as protect your belongings, here’s how to toddler-proof your home.
How to Toddler-Proof Your Home
Mount Your TV
This is an important step to prioritize. If your TV is standing on its legs on a TV stand, your toddler may be in danger of pulling the TV onto themselves. TVs are so much lighter these days, so a flat-screen is easier to topple over, putting your child in danger of injury.
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Protect Your Valuables
So many parents can point to times during parenthood when their children ruined something valuable, such as a nice piece of furniture. For this reason, consider protecting your couch and other pieces of furniture with slipcovers. If you’re worried about getting one that fits, follow these step-by-step directions for measuring for a custom slipcover. Once you get one, you can always remove it when guests visit. Otherwise, keep glassware and other valuables out of common areas to protect your toddler and your belongings.
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Purchase Safe Furniture
Consider purchasing untippable end tables, bookshelves, and desks. Make sure your pieces of furniture have large bases and low centers of gravity—that way, a pull or push won’t easily topple it. If you’d rather keep your furniture as-is, buy pads to soften the corners of your furniture and to keep head injuries to a minimum.
Use Safety Latches and Gates
Another way to toddler-proof your home is to install safety gates around the house as well as locking safety latches on drawers. Latches keep your child not only from getting into drawers with dangerous silverware, medicine, or small objects but also from getting stuck in a confined space.
Cover Outlets and Power Strips
This is a well-known tip. Protect your child from serious injury by installing outlet covers everywhere. Outlets are sure to be a curiosity for kids, given how much adults depend on them. Due to their location at the toddler level, it’s crucial to not leave any source of electricity exposed, including power strips. Keep power strips at a minimum, and if you must use them, hide them behind furniture or buy power strip covers.
and Power Strips
Be Aware of Your Windows
Cords to blinds are choking hazards for kids, and your child may become interested in opening your windows when you least expect it. Cut the cord and buy cordless window coverings, making sure a window guard is in place so that your window can’t be opened more than a couple inches.
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