Is your child safe in your house? Each day, hundreds of children are injured in their own homes due to unsecured furniture, unguarded staircases and unprotected stove-tops. Make sure your new home will be safe for your child by taking all the precautionary measures listed below.
Install a Safety Gate
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), fall-related injuries affect approximately 8,000 children every day in the United States. Installing a safety gate at the top and bottom of your staircase is one of the best measures you can take against an accidental fall. We know you always want to have an eye on your child, but for that one time when she wanders off, make sure you’re prepared.
Strap Down Large Furniture
No, you don’t have to bungee-cord your dresser to the wall but using a safety strap to secure bulkier furniture items is a good precaution. Your little explorer may want to get his clothes out himself but dressers tip over easier than you think. Safety straps simply work by securing your furniture to the wall behind it. Secure one bracket to the wall and one to the piece of furniture and strap them together for accident prevention that won’t be noticeable to guests.
Cushion Your Corners
Corner cushions are one of the most useful new home investments you can make. Children get excited when they move into a new house but they are also less familiar with their surroundings. Make sure toddler-level corners are covered securely to avoid unwanted head bumps. Most corner cushions even come with double-sided tape and are designed to leave your furniture undamaged.
Protect Against Burns
Over 300 children each day are treated for burn-related injuries, says the CDC. To ensure that your child doesn’t reach up and touch the stove burner while you’re cooking, place a stove guard on the front of the oven. Stove guards create a barrier to keep your child’s hand from reaching the hot burners. They can even be purchased in see-through acrylics that will look natural in the kitchen and still allow your child to watch you cook.
Lock Your Cabinets
Make sure your child can’t open the kitchen or bathroom cabinets where you store cleaning products or sharp objects. In fact, when your child is very young it’s a good idea to have all of your cabinets locked – just in case. Magnetic locks can easily be installed in any room of your home and, in many cases, don’t require drilling into your cabinets. Adhesive magnetic locks stick directly to your cabinetry when you need them but can be removed later as your child grows.
Educate Your Child
Children love to read books with their parents. A great way to keep your child safe is to read her books about different safety issues. There are a plethora of colorful kid’s books dedicated to educating children about the importance of being safe. Likewise, there are many interactive games online that you and your child can play together to better understand how to be safe around your home.
Take these precautionary measures and enjoy your home in peace, knowing that your child is safe in your new house.
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