Once parents have a baby, they usually buy a crib, some diapers and toys and that is pretty much it. Sometimes a baby monitor or a bucket for diapers is added to the basket. However, there are things that are more important than a crib, because the safety of a child depends on them.
About 2,000 children in the world die every day because of accidental injuries. Most of these injuries take place at home when the parents are around. Children drop things on themselves, put knitting needles into sockets, swallow batteries and fall out of windows. As a rule, most of these injuries can be prevented. In this article, we present to you TOP 7 tips on how to make child-friendly space.
Take care of flooring
Here are some decor ideas. Typically, kids start to explore the outside world from the floor on. Children crawl and test for strength everything they can reach. Therefore, it is a good idea to choose some flooring, which would not let you slip.
Even when a child is not able to walk and crawl yet, parents who have a baby in their arms may slip. What to do to prevent this from happening:
- Choose non-slip flooring;
- Put rugs on particularly dangerous places;
- And all these rugs have to be safely secured (or at least keep them on silicone pads, so that the rug itself does not slip);
- Glue the corners and edges of large carpets to the floor so that they cannot be stumbled over.
Equip windows with protective systems
A modern apartment has a lot of dangers to a child, and the main one is open windows. Therefore, parents with young children should think about equipping their windows with special protective systems, which are quite affordable to everyone today similarly to this Essay on Time company offering academic writing services.
Install special insulating glass units against drafts
When it comes to children’s safety at home, many of us immediately begin take on measures aimed at reducing injuries: hide all sharp objects and household chemicals, close the sockets etc. And the thing that is frequently left without attention is protection from drafts, although they are main reasons for a cold in both children and their parents.
You can reduce effect of drafts if you get double-glazed windows, consisting of two energy-saving glasses. Due to a special coating based on silver, such glasses function as a transparent filter: they pass visible light well but reflect heat from radiators and household appliances back into the room.
De-risk all sockets, lockers and doors
The most comfortable place for a child should be a children’s room. It is where a child spends most of their time to do some fun things. Therefore, check whether furniture is securely installed and/or fixed, whether there are any sharp corners near bed (silicone pads will help to deal with them). As for sockets, they should be closed with special plugs.
In addition, it is a good idea to check the reliability of fastening lockers and shelves, because a child (especially a hyperactive and inquisitive one) will necessarily want to climb up to find out what is interesting there. So it is important that shelves not overturn on the baby and not accidentally injure them.
Hide all piercing-cutting-cleaning items
You should start by de-risking kitchen stove. This can be achieved by installing special latches on the stove knobs and a protective screen on the stove itself. By the way, such a screen is made of transparent heat-resistant plastic, which is lightweight and safe.
On the oven, you also need to install a special latch, which will not allow child to open the oven and get burned by hot air. Ovens are among the most fun places for play.
Household chemistry, vinegar, loose goods, piercing-cutting objects should be best removed to the furthest upper cabinet. After all, every mother knows that it is these items that cause a baby’s genuine interest.
Secure the bathroom
Shampoos, soaps, shaving aids, household chemicals and other means should be safely hidden so that a child has no way to reach them. At the bottom of a bathtub, you must put a special anti-slip rubber mat. On the tiled floor, it will be a good idea to lay some water-repellent carpet. Also, do not forget to check that the mirrors, shelves, and lockers are securely fastened, and the electrical appliances are turned off and put away into the box.
Install protective gates for balcony and stairs
A balcony is also a dangerous area for children. It is necessary to ensure that the entrance to balcony is reliably protected. For example, for these purposes, lattice security gates will be the perfect option.
Photo by Boor Bridges Architecture
If you live in a country house and you have a staircase, then you need to install a protective gate at the entrance to the stairs. However, most importantly, do not leave your child alone for long, so that they do not have the temptation to climb a window, open a balcony or knock over a shelf.