The world isn’t exactly what you’d call a “safe place,” but luckily, our houses and the places we curate can give us many happy memories that last for life, and keep us protected over the years. That being said, the world is much more dangerous when we’re children than when we’re adults, not only because we’re smaller, but because we sometimes lack the good sense of self-preservation at that age.
This means that, as we all know from our own childhoods, sometimes becoming injured at home is a fairly common occurrence, or at least more common than it is “never,” the ideal outcome. For this reason, it’s important to be mindful of the threats in our household and how to fix them before they ever cause injury or harm to our little ones, while not impeding the natural fun and expression of their childhood.
In this post, we’ll list many options to help you cover more ground:
Uncovered Power Strips
Power strips are pretty interesting for curious little people with curious little fingers. Covering them with a simple plastic guard could prevent potential shocks or burns, and if you see them interested or clawing at one, make sure to warn them severely. It’s also worth considering repositioning them out of reach where possible.
Unstable Shelving Units
Wobbly shelves are a serious tipping hazard, especially if children try to climb them, for example from the bedspread or on top of the sofa back. Securing shelving units to the wall with brackets can give you stability, but they still won’t hold the full weight of a hanging toddler. It’s a simple step that could prevent a major accident, but make sure to watch them closely.
Poorly Secured Doors
Doors that aren’t properly secured might slam shut unexpectedly, especially if there are strong closers on fire doors, which could potentially trap little fingers. Slower door stoppers or soft-close hinges could be a worthwhile investment. This way you can prevent a heavy door from harming your little one, or close it completely when needed. Also having door handles a little higher than a toddler can reach is wise.
Heavy Objects On Low Tables
Heavy items within reach of small hands might be accidentally pulled down – for example, a cord that leads up to a big lamp on a bedside table or shelf. Rerouting the cable or placing them a little higher out of reach could be a simple rearrangement that could save a lot of worry.
Easily Accessible Tools
Tools left out in the open might look like interesting toys to young children, even if you were just using a screwdriver to correct a loose door hinge. Storing them in a locked toolbox or on a high shelf in your garage could keep them out of harm’s way. It’s important to remember that even seemingly harmless tools can be dangerous in small hands – even a tape measure can cut if you’re not careful..
Unlatched Cabinets
Open cabinets are interesting, even for adults. Children tend to want to open them and rummage around, but of course, this could expose them to possessions they really shouldn’t be playing with. Childproof latches on cabinets, especially those containing potentially harmful items, could provide peace of mind, and they’re easy enough to open with strong dexterous adult hands. It’s a small change that can make a big difference in household safety.
Unsecured Pet Bowls
It’s easy for pet bowls to be tipped over by a child, and of course, exposure to water dogs have been licking from all day or bowls with food in is no good. Securing them in holders can be a good idea, while also making sure your toddler doesn’t play in the utility room or kitchen space you feed your pets from.
Low-Hanging Decorations
Decorations hanging at eye level for a child might be too tempting not to touch. Raising them higher or choosing child-friendly options could prevent accidents. This might include hanging plants, tapestries on the wall, or even low-hanging curtains.
Unattended Fireplaces
A fireplace can be a real fascination for children. The heat is a little warning, of course, but it only takes a second for a child to place their hand on an active wood burner. Using a sturdy fireplace screen could keep little ones at a safe distance instead. It’s also important to teach children about fire safety from an early age if you can – it’s not too hard to communicate “fire is hot and could really burn you” no matter their age.
Loose Rugs & Carpets
Rugs and carpets might not seem that dangerous for children, but remember, many like to charge around the house and only have little legs. It’s easy, then, for unsecured to be a major trip hazard if you’re not careful. Using non-slip rug pads can be a good place to start, while making sure they’re not located around corners can help you limit some of that “turning pressure” that a running child might apply.
Sharp Objects
You probably won’t need much convincing to agree that sharp objects shouldn’t be anywhere near children. Knives, adult non-safety scissors, and other sharp objects should always be stored safely out of reach and in secure cabinets. If you have a set of knives stored in a knife holder on your kitchen top surface, you might consider locking it behind a cupboard or making sure your drawers cannot permit access to these items at all.
Toxic Cleaning Supplies
Household cleaners can be extremely dangerous if ingested, but even the non-toxic variety is hardly good to be exposed to, no matter how eco-friendly your household is in general. Storing them in a locked cabinet or high out of reach is essential. Get out of the habit of keeping them under your sink no matter what. It’s also worth considering switching to child-safe or natural cleaning products where possible, because cleaning will be a little safer for them, even if direct exposure to the products is not.
Unsecured Furniture
Large furniture items like bookcases or dressers can tip over if climbed on and especially if their not perfectly balanced. Anchoring these pieces to the wal from behindl could prevent them from being pulled as well. It’s a bit of extra work during setup, but it’s worth it for the added safety to make sure no heavy falls could cause harm.
Small Choking Hazards
We tend to think of the huge, falling hazards that could be in place in your household, but small objects like coins, batteries, or certain toys can pose serious choking risks especially as children like to explore with their mouths. Regularly checking floors and low surfaces for these items could prevent that danger, as is ensuring you’re vigilant with younger children who may crawl around and find these more easily.
Hot Surfaces
As adults, our management of hot surfaces such as stoves, radiators, or even hot outside metal areas during the summer (like grill lids) is pretty automatic. We know they can burn and so we manage ourselves appropriately around them. But using stove guards and teaching children about hot surfaces from an early age is needed for little ones who shouldn’t have to learn the hard way. With a mixture of awareness as well as physical barriers, you’ll be on the right track.
Staircases
Stairs can be particularly dangerous for young children. Heck, they can be pretty dangerous for adults if we’re not careful. That’s why having secure baby gates at the top and bottom of staircases could prevent falls. It’s also important to teach children how to navigate stairs safely as they grow, like making it very clear they are never allowed to run down them.
Accessible Medications
Medicines, even those intended for children, can be extremely dangerous if taken incorrectly, taken so they conflict with one another, or overdosing at all. Storing all medications in a locked cabinet, well out of reach, is crucial. The bathroom cabinet might not be enough, atop a secure box on top of your highest shelf might be best. It’s also important to teach children that medicines are not sweets, even if they might taste nice.
Rooftops & Windows
It’s easy for some homes to allow access to rooftops out of windows, or for the windows themselves to be hazards. To begin with, ensuring your local residential roofing services keep your roof in great condition is the best place to start. This can prevent any falling tiles. But it’s also important to lock your windows or fit catches so little hands can’t open them all the way. That can prevent a child from climbing out, even if there’s a rooftop outside they can stand on.
With this advice, you’ll be certain to reliably prevent a good number of threats that your child could potentially experience in the home. While this isn’t a perfect list with every hazard present, many of the most common issues are here.
Of course, nothing will substitute the watchful eye and parental good sense you hold. Without these, none of the safety recommendations listed will have an effect.
