While growing up, children are curious and eager to find out how the world works. While for many parents this may only be a display of normal behavior, others are frightened that children’s attempts at discovering the world may lead them to injury or worse. However, childproofing a home starting when children begin to walk seems to be the best solution to prevent injury and unfortunate events. Below are some tips on how to manage this process, to ensure a safe growing environment for your child.

Suffocating is children’s worst enemy

Suffocating is the leading cause of accidental death in children’s case. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, since 1984 the numbers of deaths amongst children younger than four increased dramatically, and suffocation seems to be the leading cause. Make sure that small items that can be swallowed are carefully put away, and also make sure that items such as plastic bags are out of reach. Also, make sure to pay attention to the following.

• Water inhalation. Be careful with your children in the bathtub, hot tub or swimming pool.
• Always purchase age-appropriate toys. If you also have older children, make sure to explain to them why their younger sibling cannot handle their toys and why should they always put their toys in a safe place after finishing playing with those.
• Throw away improper toys or toys that are broken and have poorly fixed spare parts.

Childproof your bathroom

There are some safety measures that have to be taken if you want to keep your children safe and sound in the bathroom.

• Install safety latches on those cabinets that are holding poisonous substances and cleaning products.
• All medical products and pills should be stored in their original containers, in an out-of-reach space.
• Toilet locks to keep those toilet lids closed are more than necessary, children may climb onto those and fall into the toilet bowl quite easily, if unattended.
• Set the thermostat at 120 degrees for the water running at your faucets. A temperature of 140 degrees will give your child some ugly third-degree burns.
• Unplug electronic devices after you finish using those. Electrical cords in contact with the water in the bathroom may lead to electrocution.
• Unused electrical outlets should be covered with dedicated lids.

Childproof your living area

Your living area is also a dangerous space for the curious child of yours. Due to this reason, you should consider the following preventive steps.

• Choose your furniture with care. It should all have soft or rounded corners, and when it comes to the living room furniture, you should consider only the best products on the market, but also corner protection. Invest in several sets of those as well.
• Door knob covers will certainly help you when it comes to preventing children from getting from a room to another or hazardous areas such as a swimming pool area.
• Never place furniture near windows. This will enable your children to reach the window and unfortunate events may happen if those are open, or if they manage to open those.
• Choose window blinds without loop chords. This can be a big issue if you take into account the strangulation potential of these elements, and you want to avoid such events for sure.
• Always consider installing corner bumpers and edge covers as children seem to have a habit of running into those.
• Secure bookcases and other furniture pieces that you might have around your living area with dedicated screws, brackets and anchors.
• Make sure that you learn proper storage, as heavier items should be on the lower shelves, and lighter ones on the top shelves.

How to child proof your kitchen like a pro

Kitchens are hazardous to children, and you are well-aware of this fact. However, make sure to follow the tips below for a childproof kitchen and their endless curiosity.

• Put a lock on those drawers in which you store chemicals for cleaning.
• Try to supervise your child as much as possible while in the kitchen. If you can’t supervise your child when cooking, a play yard placed nearby may be the solution that you’re searching for.
• Try to swap household chemicals with natural cleaning solutions. These work just as well and aren’t as hazardous as those poisonous chemicals.
• All sharp items that may be present in your kitchen should be stored in latched drawers and high cabinets.
• Electrical appliances such as coffee maker, toaster, and waffle makers should also be stored out of reach, without hanging electrical cords. Avoid unpleasant accidents by doing so.
• Fragile items, hot items, and sharp items should never be left unattended in places where your child may have access.
• Pick a cabinet that is not too close to your stove and set it up with harmless objects for your child to explore. You could place there their eating plastic ware or other similar objects. This will leave them the impression that they aren’t forbidden anything and that they are free to explore the kitchen just like their parents do.

General considerations

As children love to explore the premises of their living and play spaces, supervising them continuously seems to be the best solution to prevent accidents up until a certain age. While they can’t be held responsible for the accidents that may occur, you can still do your best to child-proof your entire home. Some simple measures will help you prevent injuries and accidents with a deadly potential. Also, make sure that their play areas are equally safe, just as the rest of your home. Accidents when playing are more frequent than you think and you need to make sure that your children are safe at all times. For instance, opt for a toy chest with a detachable lid for more safety. You could also go for a lightweight, textile one, for added safety.

In the end, you don’t have to exacerbate every item’s potential when it comes to injuries and accidents. If you manage to apply the strategies above you and your child should be just safe.