Child Safety - Is Your Home Kid-Friendly?

You can’t skimp on child safety measures when you have children. Your little ones are born explorers and it’s this curiosity and the need to know what everything is about that leads to accidents. So, we’d like to make you aware of the importance of child safety and give you some advice to make your home 100% kid-friendly.

The Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs did a study in which they found that 41.4% of domestic accidents are caused by falls; 22.6% by cuts; 13% by blows; 9.6% for burns, and 4.2% are due to some form of physical exertion. So we’ll give you a few tips on how to make your home a safe place for children.

Child safety in the kitchen

This is the place that will require most of your attention when it comes to safety, not only for your children but for your family in general. Kitchens have fire and heating devices, electricity, and even toxic products, so let’s evaluate them one by one.

Shelves

Your young explorers will for sure try to open the pantry to find that box of yummy treats you gave them yesterday. Eating the entire box will probably give them a stomach ache. But, what if instead, they grab a glass jar of unpitted olives? Or whole nuts? This is why you should reserve the higher areas of your pantry for all those items that could lead to children choking.

The fire zone

Hot areas are the most dangerous in your kitchen whether you have an electric or a gas range or an induction cooker or a microwave. Curious children will want to see what’s in the pots or in the oven.

Their motor skills aren’t refined yet and so they’ll most likely drop the pan and its contents on top of themselves which is the reason for many serious burns. There are some stove protectors that can help you keep children safe. Also, it’s always a good idea to place the pots and pans on the back burners when there are children nearby.

The oven

If you can plan the layout of your kitchen, then place your oven at medium height. This way your little ones won’t be able to open it when it’s on.

In addition, unplug any small appliances when you’re not using them so you can prevent children from turning them on which could result in an accident.

Beware of the trash

Keep it out of reach or in an enclosed space. Children and pets love to investigate and they could pick up a can with a jagged edge or broken glass or something poisonous.

Cleaning products

You must pay special attention to this one. Always store your cleaning products in a high place. If you don’t have that kind of space them then store them inside locked cabinets or drawers. And, do the same with any medications you might have. You may not be aware of it but intoxication accidents are quite frequent. Here is a good link to read more about prevention and also what to do if your child is exposed to a toxic substance.

Child safety in the bathroom

The bathroom is another place where most accidents tend to happen. Slips and falls are common in these rooms, both in the shower or the bathtub or just on the wet floors. So, you must use non-slip mats in order to minimize risks. In addition, be sure to keep every electric appliance such as hair dryers, irons, etc, unplugged. An appliance with a plug poses a risk of electrocution if it’s interior comes in contact with water.

Make it easy for your children to access the sink and other higher areas. That way they won’t be tempted to climb to try to reach something.

And, of course, never leave the room when little children are in the bath as they could drown.

Child safety in the rest of the house

Finally, here’s a list of measures you can take to minimize accidents at home, especially when it comes to children:

• Attach any shelving systems and large pieces of furniture to the wall. Especially if they aren’t too stable.
• Large mirrors are beautiful but don’t place them on the floor if you have children around. Attach them to the wall if possible.
• Don’t leave unattended candles burning. These are very attractive to children and they’ll want to play with them. Of course, it could lead to a fire or them getting burned.
• When it comes to child safety, don’t forget the importance of organizing their toys. On the one hand, they should be within their reach to keep them from climbing up to get them. Depending on the age of your children, beware of any small parts they toys might have as children could swallow them and choke on them. Opt for CE approved toys and make sure they don’t contain any toxic materials.
• Similarly, protect any sharp furniture corners to avoid cuts.
• Also, beware of long curtains and tablecloths. A child could bring everything down if they pull them and hurt themselves in the process.
• Staircases are another important place to keep in mind when it comes to child safety. Don’t underestimate their ability to sneak off and embark on an adventure. So, it’s better that you use some kind of barrier such as a stair gate.
• In addition, cover all the electrical outlets with safety plugs. You can usually find these in the children’s section of most department stores.
• Attach all carpets to the floor, you can place non-slip tape underneath to avoid slips and falls.

Conclusion

Finally, choose your furniture well and try to avoid glass tables. Also, don’t cram your house with objects; give children space to run around and play. And remember, it’s usually not a child’s fault if they break something. Keeping both your children and your things safe is your responsibility.