Today is another guest post is by Amy Patterson. I hope her extremely helpful article will give you some info, tips & help you baby-proof your house. There are so many things that matter which we sometimes don’t even think about. Like anchoring your furniture or making sure your blind cords are short… Read on to find out her tips.

 

Most parents will go to almost any length to keep their children safe, and yet one area that is very often overlooked is safety around the home. In the US alone, over 2.3 million children are accidentally injured. Surprisingly, most of these accidents happen around the home. These accidents can be prevented by taking safety measures and child-proofing your home. Safety-proofing the home for children is especially important particularly during the holiday season when all the hustle and bustle can create many distractions while keeping an eye on your children.

Keep Out of Reach

Look carefully around your home to see if there is anything lying around that could be potentially harmful to children or seniors. Things such as washing liquids, bleaches and drugs should be kept away, preferably under lock and key, where they are not easily accessible. You should also do the same for sharp objects and those that could cause harm or injury to a child. Since family and friends tend to gather in the kitchen during the holiday season, including your little ones, be sure to keep sharp or hot objects out of their reach. Never leave children unattended in the kitchen while food is cooking. Be sure that they cannot tip over holiday decorations.

Barricade and Cover Outlets

One of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries is falls, according to the CDC. Use child gates to restrict access to areas of the house that are dangerous to children, such as the staircase. A child gate should be placed at both ends of the steps to prevent the child from climbing up. Locate other places in your home that you need cordoned off and strategically place gates there to restrict access. Use outlet covers to seal off electrical outlets to prevent shock. A child could accidentally stick their finger into the socket hole, which can be very dangerous.

Soften the Edges

Sharp corners of coffee tables, chairs and other furniture should be padded to prevent injury. Corner and edge bumpers can be used to pad your furniture. Get bumpers which will stick on to your furniture and not fall off after a while.

Look to Your Window Coverings

As much as possible, avoid window coverings with cords. Young children can easily wrap the cord around their necks, which can be a source of strangulation. Instead, use cordless window coverings. Modern window covering are usually made without cords, however, older ones like those made before 2000 were made with such cords. If you have one of those, you should see about getting more modern window coverings that can prove to be safer for your child. String lighting can also be dangerous if improperly installed.

Anchor Your Furniture

There have been cases where children were critically injured because a piece of furniture or appliance toppled over them. To avoid this, use anchors to keep your furniture in place so that they do not topple over the children. You should also take similar measures with appliances and even large Christmas trees.

Other Safety Measures

There are many more things you can do to ensure that your home is comfortable and safe for small children. Be sure to place smoke alarms in every room and make use of anti-scald devices in your faucets. Keeping your home child-safe is a priority especially if you have children or are expecting any child to visit during this holiday season.

 

How do you safe-proof your home during the holiday season?