Children make a home warm and lively. A home is a place where they will spend most of their time, making it essential that the space is suitable for their needs. Making your home a child-friendly space creates an environment for children to develop, explore, while safe.
How can we make a home child-friendly?
The driveway
Every year, thousands of kids are seriously injured or even killed on their driveways as parents back up.
Young children below six years of age are usually at risk due to the impossibility of the driver to notice them, especially if immediately behind the vehicle, thus the need to put a rear camera in your car that acts as your eyes back there. Fencing off your driveway by using gates and fences will also ensure your child does not wander into the driveway and is put at risk.
The Living Room
The living room is a hub for most children since it acts as a playroom, dining, and relaxation area. Arrange your furniture in a design that prevents your children from climbing onto higher surfaces and also gives them enough playing space, without bumping into things.
Wrap up the window blinds and draperies and put them out of reach of young children.
Replace the fireplace mesh screen with a glass door to prevent your child from poking their fingers on the mesh and getting burned.
For electrical appliance cords, wrap them up using electrical tapes to eliminate slack that can lead to tripping, electrocution and strangulation.
Use baskets and boxes to store small objects, toys, and shoes to reduce clutter. Ensure they are in a place where the kids can reach for them easily without any danger.
RELATED: 4 Areas You Didn’t Know You Need to Childproof
The Bedroom
The bedroom provides much-needed rest and quiet for your kids, and they also act as a playing room for many children; thus, it’s vital to make it childproof.
Ensure your child’s crib is free from stuffed animals to prevent the risk of suffocation and exchange the drop-side crib with the fixed side crib according to the recommendations of the U.S Consumer Product-Safety Commission.
Keep the window blinds cordless to prevent strangulation. It’s advisable to have a corner dedicated to your child to play and enjoy their toy time, a place free from any danger.
RELATED: How to Create Your Child’s Perfect Bedroom
The HVAC System
The heating and air conditioning should always be well maintained to ensure that the indoor air circulated in our home is safe for our children.
A poorly maintained HVAC system can circulate allergens and dust throughout the house, putting your child’s health at risk, while a faulty air conditioner will cause heat exhaustion and stress.
For your home to maintain proper circulation of quality air, it’s advisable to conduct regular HVAC system maintenance. The Eastern Shore Heating & Air Conditioning HVAC technicians will ensure your HVAC is in tip-top shape.
RELATED: 4 Tips for Avoiding HVAC Issues
In the Kitchen
Children spend considerable time in the kitchen accompanying their parents as they prepare meals. But, it’s a room full of risks hence the need to keep it off-limits by keeping it gated or doors closed.
Keep the lower cabinets locked, since it’s where many of us keep our cleaning products. You may use a magnetic lock or the traditional latch. Alternatively, place your cleaning products on higher cabinets.
The dishwasher should stay locked, and the microwave and other cooking equipment should be mounted high and out of reach. Knob your stoves or better use stove guards. Keep small appliances and cutlery off-limits and in locked drawers and always keep your refrigerator closed. For the breakables and medications, keep them on higher shelves.
RELATED: Kitchen Safety With Kids
The Bathroom
Put latches and guards on the toilets to prevent children from playing with dirty toilet water. The bathroom cabinets should be secured with devices and kept under lock to prevent children from accessing medications and bath products. Keep the electrical appliances in the bathroom in an elevated position.
Put a rubber spout on the tub faucet to avoid bangs and set the water heater to an appropriate level of 120F. Additionally, install water heat sensors and anti-scald devices to prevent water flow when it reaches a dangerous temperature. Never leave your baby unattended in the bathtub.
The Stairs
Children are adventurous, and the stairs are very attractive to an exploring child. Many children suffer from neck and head injuries from falling down the stairs.
Install safety gates on the bottom and top of your stairs to prevent your child from climbing and crawling. Put safety railings and handrails and keep the stairways well lit and free from clutter and toys.
Conclusion
Every room in our homes poses a risk to our children. However, when making home improvements, the above rooms should be prioritized and child proofed.
