Four Changes Around the Home to Make When Becoming a Parent
The average child-free home owner probably doesn’t put a lot of thought into all the potential dangers their design and décor could pose to a toddler or infant. It isn’t until you have guests over with small children – or bring home one of your own – that the risks to kids become apparent. Sharp corners, toxic cleaning products and valuables on low shelves are only some of the hazards that could be present in your own house.
Here are some things you can do to keep your children from hurting themselves around the home.
Water Filtration
The monumental negligence and incompetence throughout the world in maintaining safe public water systems has a lot of people worried about whether their own water is safe to drink. Those who are concerned about the quality of their water fortunately have a few solutions available to ensure without a doubt that the water coming out of their tap is pure.
The correct water filtration system for your family will depend on a few factors. Whole house systems can filter all the water that enters the home but tend to be more expensive to install and maintain. Those looking for a more budget-friendly solution or who have less space available to them should consider a unit that can be easily stored under a sink. Sites like Water Filter Answers offer reviews and guides to help you choose the right setup.
Suffocation Hazards
Suffocation is one of the single biggest risks to your infant’s health, because young children lack the motor skills and coordination to help themselves. Some of the most dangerous items to your infant may not be immediately apparent. Blankets, pillows, stuffed animals or loose clothing can all be deadly suffocation hazards if you leave your child unattended with them. It is advised to keep your child’s crib completely empty other than a tightly secured sheet – especially at night while you sleep.
Restricting Access
Anyone who has raised a child will know the value of a good lock or gate to limit the damage their rug rats can inflict upon themselves. Any potentially dangerous or valuable items should be put away and stored under lock and key for the sake of security. Pesticides and cleaners should be stored up high away from prying fingers, or behind a locking cupboard or cabinet. Always keep entryways into non-child proofed areas secured. Staircases can be especially dangerous; a well-made locking gate can help give you some peace of mind, though.
Childproofing Products
Before going out to replace all of your furniture and cabinetry with child-proof alternatives, you should know that there are many products available to retrofit standard décor for your kid’s safety. Edge guards are a great way to cover sharp corners and edges so that they don’t cause a nasty wound when they’re inevitably rammed into during playtime. In addition, cabinet and drawer locks can keep little hands away from knives and cleaners.
There’s no way to eliminate all risks in the home for your children, but you can do your best to mitigate that risk as much as possible. Adequate supervision – paired with smart prevention measures – can prevent the majority of disasters that might occur.
