When you have children, you want to ensure your home is as safe a space for them as possible. Some dangers are obvious, from exposed electrical outlets to dangerous chemicals. Others, however, can lurk undetected. Follow these steps to create a safer environment for your children, their friends, and other little ones visiting your house.
1. Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors provide critical warnings when a problem occurs in your home. Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, laundry room, and living space, and carbon monoxide detectors should be on every floor.
2. Secure Your Windows
Windows can be a serious hazard for kids. Use window stops so that they cannot open windows more than four inches without removing them, especially if they are above the ground floor.
3. Check for Radon
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that enters the home through foundation cracks, crawlspaces, or soil. Test your home any time you do any major remodeling to ensure that it is free of radon and take care of radon mitigation quickly if needed.
4. Avoid Lead Paint
Older homes may have lead paint that could pose a hazard to children, especially if it peels. In addition to checking your walls, pay attention to any old, painted furniture in your home. When in doubt, bring in an expert to remove it or repaint it.
5. Secure Heavy Furniture to the Wall
You may assume that furniture that has not moved in years will not pose a hazard to your kids. Children, however, may attempt to climb on furniture, causing it to tip over. Unsecured furniture can lead to severe injuries or death so it’s best to secure heavy furniture to the wall.
6. Secure Chemicals and Medications
Pay particular attention to your cleaning supplies and medications when you have children in the home. Make sure they are located in a locked cabinet. Keep in mind that children are enterprising: even if you think something is high enough to keep them out, they may still find a way to get in!
7. Use Gates to Keep Children Out of Unsafe Areas
When children are small, in particular, they may struggle with stairs and other hazardous areas of the home. Use baby gates to secure those areas and make sure children stay as safe as possible. Keep in mind that you may need baby gates at both the top and the bottom of the stairs.
8. Use Child-Safe Seating and Bedding
When choosing items for a child, make sure they are child-safe. Babies, for example, should sleep in cribs, not in an adult bed. Use approved high chairs and baby seats, and never leave small children unattended.
Make Your Home a Safer Space
Keeping your home safe may feel like an ongoing challenge. However, with these simple strategies, you can make sure that you have created a safe space for your child and any others who visit your home. You will be able to know that children are safe in your home, and kids can play comfortably and not worry.
