How to Childproof a House

Introduction

Your kid wrapped in a small blanket will soon become a crawler and try to explore new areas of the house. And this is where babyproofing your home comes into play. As soon as your child gains that newfound skill of mobility, you need to begin childproofing your home. Here are the most effective tips and practices to effectively protect infants and young children from harm inside the home.

Determine High-Risk Areas

Figure out the high-risk areas in your house. These sources are zones that your child is most likely to want to crawl to. Take some time and research where most accidents might occur in your house. 

In the kitchen area, dangerous spaces can include the areas around your fireplace, kitchen stove, or outside barbecue grill. Parents should also check under their kitchen sink and ensure no toxic cleaning chemicals are stored unsafely. 

Stairs increase the chances of a potential fall, so be sure to use a childproof gate to block the bottom and top of stairwells. You want to make sure your child cannot crawl up or down the stairs unattended. Even a fall from a low height can cause substantial injuries, so it’s essential to minimize risk as much as possible. If your child suffers harm due to someone else’s negligent actions, you may be able to take action via a Jersey City personal injury lawsuit. 

Babyproofing Bathroom

Make sure there’s a cover on your tub faucet. It’s a great way to provide extra protection for your toddler and ensure he doesn’t get hit by bumps. Another practical precaution would be to set the maximum water temperature to 120 Fahrenheit to ensure your kid doesn’t burn himself. 

If you have an apartment building, you can get an anti-scald device for your faucet. This device allows you to adjust your heater temperature and ensures water doesn’t go over a specific range. Young children may not understand the risk of exposure to hot water, so limiting access to it can be wise.

Childproofing Stairwell

Making a stairwell safe for your kid can turn into a big challenge. However, take up this challenge as an opportunity to make stairs safe and allow your kid to explore comfortably.

For crawlers, it is better to block the entryway into the stairwell rather than put a soft carpet on it. Additionally, make sure your kid doesn’t climb downstairs or upstairs through the baby gate. If you live in a rental, you can still attach a small gate without drilling. 

Childproof Car

If you park your car inside a garage, then it is vital to childproof your vehicle. Whether you park one or multiple cars in your garage, ensure your toddler doesn’t have direct access to it.

You should adopt fundamental vehicle seat safety protocols for toddlers. Also, get rid of any pens and coins from your vehicle that might be a choking hazard for your child.

Fireplace Gate

If you’ve got a house, you’ve probably got a fireplace, and having a kid means making sure flames are completely contained.

Also, maintain cleanliness around your chimney and fireplace. Conduct regular inspections to ensure there is no fire hazard or other element that might harm your child. 

Final Thoughts

Babyproofing a whole house at once might be a daunting task. However, tackle one room at a time to make childproofing a manageable task. Start with baby gates and block direct access to open space so the little one doesn’t crawl into harm’s way.

Ensure your decks are clear and get rid of any breakable hard candy, plant, glass bowl, and picture frame. Ultimately, you can childproof your home all you want – you’ll need to be vigilant and focus on continuous supervision. After all, children can be pretty creative and often run into mischief easily.