Whether your little bundle of joy is on its way or they are already ruling over their new domain (your house!), it is important to prevent potential accidents.
Because we understand that as a parent, you have very little spare time, RE/MAX has compiled a list of all the modifications you need to carry out on your property to make your home child safe. Have you forgotten anything?
In the Nursery
- If you have an electrical heating system and the curtains extend below the top of the radiator, you should purchase an accessory that stops them from touching the heating element. It is inexpensive and available at the hardware store. You could also change to shorter curtains or to blinds. If the latter, make sure young children can’t get their hands on the cord.
- If you live in a new build, you don’t have to buy outlet covers as newer models have been designed to stop tiny fingers from getting in. If this is not your case, these gadgets are, of course, indispensable: kids are naturally attracted to electrical plugs.
- The baby’s mobile should always be out of reach to prevent the cord from wrapping around a part of the body. As the little one grows and can stand up in their bed, the mobile will have to be raised or simply removed.
- Wall decorations by the crib must be securely hung. Ideally, they are of a large size (to avoid the baby being able to put them in their mouth should they fall off the wall).
In the Kitchen
- You have, of course, put away the knives and sharp objects, but are they truly inaccessible to pint-size explorers? Sometimes, their minds are impressively ingenious. A living room pillow can be used to provide a boost or the drawers can be turned into stairs. This is why it is best to place dangerous tools at an inaccessible height or to lock the cabinets and drawers with a security system.
- When you’re cooking, remember to not let the handles of the pots and pans extend beyond the edge of the stove. Small hands grasp at everything!
- Some parents have no other option but to remove the stove nobs because their kids entertain themselves by turning them on.
- There is something that is quite enticing to toddlers under the sink: dishwasher detergent tabs. Often, they look like appetizing candy. Put them away up out of reach.
- If you keep your plastic bags, store them somewhere safe: death by suffocation is far too common in children.
In the Living Room
- If the back of your TV cabinet is a maze of electrical wires, be aware that baby will eventually become very interested in this area. What can you do? If you are handy, you can hide these wires in the wall or in the cabinet (by drilling holes), or you can set up baby gates around the perimeter. It will spoil your living room decor, but remember that this is only temporary! These gates can also be used around the fireplace to avoid burns.
- If you coffee table has square corners, these may potentially cause injury to your child. For some reason, kids always manage to fall right onto them! Protective corners can be inexpensively purchased in all colours to blend into your design. They can also be used over kitchen table and countertop corners.
- Did you know that certain plants like aloe vera are toxic to children? It is best to make them inaccessible to “predators in diapers!”
In the Bathroom
- The hot water tap can sometimes be a foe! It can become burning hot through contact with hot water and remain so even after the faucet has been turned off. For this reason, it is recommended to run cold water for a few seconds after you have filled the little one’s bath, making the faucet cool to the touch.
- In the bathtub, a nonslip mat is useful for preventing falls. Also, you must never leave an electrical appliance (hairdryer, razor) that could be grabbed by a child plugged in.
- It is a good idea to latch the toilet lid with a special lock. Why? Because accidents have occurred where a child pulled themselves over the edge of the bowl and fell head first into it. Likewise, it will prevent baby from flushing tiny objects that could ruin the pipes!
Additional Judicious Advice
- All staircases should be barred with a gate screwed into the wall (and not simply through pressure).
- To prevent doors from closing on small hands, use finger guards.
- Items of furniture that can easily topple over (by simply pulling open a full drawer, for example) should be secured to the wall.