Children are natural explorers. This is a good thing! It’s part of their development, but it’s important that they can explore safely. Many household items pose a potential hazard to your child. Think outside the box of child locks and corner guards with these helpful safety ideas. “Cops and robbers” is one of the world’s oldest games. Pretending to be cops and apprehending criminals is something that kids like doing. In this game, an automatic nerf gun will be very helpful.
Start with Toys
One easy way to ensure a safer playtime is to use age-appropriate toys. Looking into a learning style such as the Montessori approach can help you keep your home less cluttered and focus more on simple items and toys, rather than having lots of toys and choking hazards around your home. These toys are geared towards a certain level of development. They cultivate creativity and encourage your child to be more independent, too.
Stairs
Practicing good stair safety is a straightforward way to prevent injuries. If you have hard floors, consider adding a non-slip rug, but just be sure to prevent it from folding over or creasing. This can increase the risk of tripping. If you have younger children, install a safety gate in order to keep your child on the same level as you and out of harm’s way.
Store Chemicals Safely
Let’s call it like it is: cleaning products are poison. Be sure to lock away any dangerous cleaning products to ensure your children don’t put themselves at risk. Never store them above eye level because you yourself might accidentally spill them, and always have the poison control hotline somewhere handy.
Have an Exit Strategy
In case of an emergency, such as a fire or other natural disaster, it’s important that your family has a clear plan in place. Be sure that everyone knows more than one escape route and decide on a designated meeting place. Don’t forget to practice these drills regularly. Be sure to teach your child how to use a fire extinguisher once they’re old enough. It’s also a good idea to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms regularly.
Mounting Furniture
Dressers and bookshelves have something in common: they look like ladders. And while that may not actually be their designated purpose, it certainly won’t stop your children from trying to climb up the furniture when it comes to retrieving a toy that’s perched on top. Nowadays, a lot of furniture comes ready-to-mount, so it shouldn’t be hard to find safe options. Anchoring furniture to the walls is a smart way to ensure your child’s safety.
Electrical Outlets
Here’s your friendly reminder that electrical outlets are right at eye level for your little one. One simple solution is to pick up a few plastic outlet covers. You can also consider installing some childproof socket guards that feature a recessed face for extra safety.
Cords
Cord safety comes in many different shapes and sizes. For one, make sure that the cords of your electronics stay in good condition and get them repaired if needed. Another type of cord to watch out for are the cords on your blinds. Don’t leave your cord hanging loosely beside your blinds. Instead, wrap it up safely. You can install a wall-mounted cord collector or opt for a drill-free option with a wind-up cord collector instead.
Tune Your Water Heater
If you didn’t know that you can control your water heater’s maximum temperature, now’s the time to go investigate and see to what temperature yours is currently set. Ideally, a water heater shouldn’t be set above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only will this keep the water from getting to a scalding temperature, but it will also help prevent it from heating up too quickly.
Water Safety
If you have a small child, you’ve surely figured out by now just how quickly they can get into things they shouldn’t. We’re talking less than the blink of an eye. This can be especially dangerous when it comes to water, no matter what quantity. Never start a bath and leave it unattended and keep the bathroom door shut more often than not. If you have a pool or hot tub, try to have it fenced. At the bare minimum, do not leave your child near it unsupervised, even if it is covered. Unfortunately, even a kiddy pool can be a recipe for disaster, so when it comes to water safety, it is always better safe than sorry.
Don’t Forget the Car
Your car is like an extension of your home, so don’t forget to keep it safe as well. Make sure that your child has appropriately-fitted car seats. You can even look into an app-enabled, high-tech car seat. And as always, set a good example when it comes to the importance of wearing a seatbelt.
Emotional Safety
Creating a safe environment for your child at home doesn’t have to be limited to physical things. It can include emotional safety, too. Help them express their feelings, teach kindness, and promote empathy. After all, a feeling of emotional safety means a stronger connection, and fostering a safe and loving environment is just as important.
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