21 Interesting Ways to Child-proof Your Home
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
When it comes to ensuring the safety of young children at home, it’s important to take proactive measures. Young children and toddlers are naturally curious and prone to accidents due to their lack of awareness of their surroundings. By implementing the right products and securing items in the household, you can transform your living space into a child-friendly haven, minimizing potential hazards and providing peace of mind for parents and caregivers. Here’s a comprehensive list to consider when making a home more child-friendly:
- OUTLET COVERS
Electrical outlets can pose a big risk to curious children. Outlet covers, both plug-in and with sliding options, help prevent accidental electrocution by covering unused outlets and ensuring that little fingers stay away from live sockets. These outlet covers prevent children from sticking their fingers or objects into the outlets. - CORDLESS BLINDS
Blinds with long cords can be a strangulation hazard. Replace them with cordless blinds or use cord winders to keep the cords out of reach.
- CABINET AND DRAWER LATCHES
Install safety latches on all cabinets and drawers, especially in the kitchen, to prevent children from opening them and touching potentially dangerous items such as cleaning supplies, medications, pots, pans, utensils, and sharp tools. - STOVE KNOB COVERS
If a young child can reach the knobs on the stove, consider putting some clear knob covers on those knobs to prevent an accident with your stove.
- DOOR GATES
Install gates at the top and bottom of stairs and in the doorways of rooms with potential hazards. Make sure that the gates are installed correctly and securely. - FURNITURE AND TV STRAPS
Secure all large furniture like bookcases, dressers, and TVs to the wall with furniture straps to prevent them from tipping over if a child tries to climb on them. - CORNER GUARDS AND EDGE BUMPERS
Place corner guards on furniture and other objects with sharp edges. Children are often at the same height as these hazards; a fall or collision could lead to a serious injury.
- WINDOW GUARDS AND STOPS
These window safety locks prevent them from opening more than a few inches to prevent a child from falling out of an open window. - TOILET LOCKS
These toilet locks can prevent drowning and prevent children from throwing items into the toilet that can clog toilets and cause water damage in the home. - FIREPLACE BUMPER
Cover the hearth with a fireplace bumper to protect against injuries from falls and little hands going where they shouldn’t.
- DOOR KNOB COVERS AND LOCKS
These doorknob covers can prevent children from entering rooms and other areas with possible dangers or contents you may want undisturbed. - KEEP SMALL OBJECTS PUT AWAY
Be wary of small objects that are choking hazards. Cut grapes and other food items in half to fit the baby’s mouth and don’t leave smaller objects in the vicinity of a young child. Just in case, however, these de-chokers have been proven to save lives.
- RUGS AND CARPETS
Use anti-slip pads under rugs and carpets to prevent falls and slips. These shown are simply attached to the corners of each rug – no more cutting large mats to size then constantly adjusting them! - SAFETY LOCKS FOR LARGE APPLIANCES
Safety locks for large appliances prevent children from accidentally getting trapped inside a refrigerator, dishwasher, dryer, or reaching potentially hazardous materials or food contents that you don’t want disturbed.
- SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
Install smoke detectors around the home and check them regularly to make sure that they are working properly. If you already have smoke detectors, make sure you test them to ensure the batteries are functional or replace them if not. And if you have a gas furnace, a carbon monoxide detector is also advised. Be sure to follow any local building codes when installing these devices. - ANTI-SCALD DEVICES
Adjust bathtub and shower faucets to maintain water temperature below a safe level (below 120 degrees) to prevent burns. Even better, you should check the setting on your home hot water heater to avoid overly hot water coming out of your faucets, but you can watch a short video here to learn how to adjust a Delta brand faucet.
- MEDICATIONS AND CLEANING PRODUCTS
Always store these items out of children’s reach and sight, ideally in a locked cabinet. - COVER OR BLOCK ACCESS TO RADIATORS AND HEATERS
Prevent burns by making sure that children cannot touch hot surfaces.
- KEEP LITTLE HANDS (AND PAWS) OUT OF GARBAGE
These trash cans with locking lids prevent children from getting into the trash and other items that have been thrown away. If you would like to continue using your existing can, you can also use a safety door latch to attach to your lid and then separately remove it when it’s no longer needed. - LOCK AWAY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Ensure chemicals, medicines, alcohol, and other potentially dangerous substances are stored in a locked cabinet, preferably outside a child’s reach.
- WEAPONS
It goes without saying that any type of weapon should be safely locked away. Guns, in particular, should also utilize a combination trigger lock that only an adult will know how to remove. If you want to get more sophisticated for a reasonable price, a biometric gun safe will allow you easy access while keeping others out. Be sure to secure knife drawers in the kitchen and dining room as well.
While some of these suggestions may appear to be overkill, all of them are worth considering. Remember, childproofing is not a one-time task. As children grow and gain new abilities, you should reassess potential dangers and make changes accordingly. Supervision is also essential in keeping children safe. It’s your home, but it’s their safety!
IMPORTANT LINKS & PHONE NUMBERS
Poison Control
1-800-222-1222
National Fire Department Registry