Last updated on March 31st, 2024 at 10:48 am
If you are new to the world of parenting or are starting to grow your family, it may be worth considering how you can create a safe environment for your children, particularly since you don’t have eyes in the back of your head.
Not only does your home need to be suitable for your kids, but it also needs to match your style. Here are some of our practical tips for how to make your home a safe haven for your little ones!
How To Make Your Home More Practical For Kids
Replace unsafe furniture
Accidents in the home are likely going to happen regardless of the precautions you put in place but taking the right steps to minimise these risks is key here. Furniture can cause injuries to children if not suitable or used safely.
Choosing durable pieces and positioning them with safety at the forefront will make a huge difference to the safety of your family. The best choices include furniture that has round edges and is low to the ground, to avoid climbing. Edge protectors and corner guards can be used as well if you don’t want to swap out your existing tables and countertops.
The furniture in a child’s room should ideally be anchored to the wall using studs to prevent them from pulling any heavy items onto themselves. You can also opt for fitted wardrobes,which are securely installed and cannot be knocked over or climbed on. Choosing a fitted wardrobe with a sliding door means your little one can access their toys and clothes easily,as well and keep their rooms free from clutter.
Consider changing your flooring
When choosing the type of flooring for your home, it’s important to consider options that reduce the likelihood of your children slipping.
Carpets and area rugs have the best grip but are more prone to dirt. You can also go for wooden flooring which is easier to clean – it is important these surfaces are kept as tidy as possible to avoid young children putting dangerous objects in their mouths also.
For a more luxurious look, you can try vinyl or laminate flooring, which are both great for bathrooms, alongside the use of a non-slip bathmat.
Keep electrical items out of reach
All electrical equipment should be placed out of the reach of children, especially if it is heavy or could pose serious harm. As an example, the television should be mounted on the wall. This avoids any damage occurring from the TV being knocked over accidentally.
It’s also advisable to hide cables or extension cords using protective barriers. If in doubt, use shelves to hide gadgets like phones and hairdryers – out of sight, out of mind!
Purchase child-proof locks and covers
Locks and covers are essential around the home to stop prying eyes from getting into dangerous situations. Lock windows or cabinets whilst your children are not being supervised, to ensure they can’t leave the house or snoop around in your absence.
Electrical outlet covers are vital to prevent young children from putting their fingers into dangerous sockets. Electrical mains can be a serious hazard to themselves and any other children in your home, particularly in situation where lots of cables are tangled together – so make sure they are neatly arranged!
Medicines and cleaning products should be kept locked away and out of reach to avoid any accidents.
Use Wipeable Paint
Making your home more child friendly is more than just replacing items and covering outlets, kids can make a lot of mess and your life will be a lot easier if you prepare your home to be easy to clean up. Painting your walls in a wipeable paint means that food splatters, crayon marks or even just marks from toys rubbing against the walls can all be easily cleaned off with a damp cloth. Repainting the high traffic areas in a wipeable paint may seem like a lot of work but it’s worth it in the long run.
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