Three Crucial Things You Can Do to Make Your Home Safer for Kids
Once you have kids, you start worrying about their safety, especially when they start crawling and walking around. Even before you have the first kid, childproof your home. Most people usually do the obvious, like installing a less slippery floor, buying safe baby furniture, and covering sockets.
You might also go a step ahead and install child-safe gates, hide wires, put flowers and other valuables where they can’t reach, and cover sockets. As you do all this, several things can still be dangerous to your child, but many people don’t remember to change.
Three Crucial Things You Can Do to Make Your Home Safer for Kids
Curtains
Between 2015 and 1990, over 17000 children in the US were hurt by window blinds, and 300 were fatal cases. Kids risk strangling themselves to death when playing with curtain cords. You might not think that window shades and blinds with cords can be a safety concern to your child until you find them playing with them.
To prevent an accident, change your home curtain to cordless Venetian blinds that are safer but still offer the same value. You can still have elegant and high-quality cordless blinds without risking your child’s wellbeing.
Your Baby’s Toys
Every parent buys their children toys to keep them happily entertained and engaged. But these lovely gestures can be dangerous if you don’t take the time to choose suitable toys. First, only buy age-appropriate toys. For instance, you wouldn’t want to buy a toddler a toy with removable parts such as eyes that can fit into the mouth or nose.
Also, choose toys that match your kids’ skills. For instance, a bicycle is not appropriate for an infant who’s just started walking, and when you do, make sure it’s age-appropriate and comes with a helmet. Ensure the toys are safe even when put in the mouth. When buying crayons, paints, and markers, check whether they have the non-toxic label.
How often do you clean the baby’s toys? When doing so, use effective but mild products that won’t affect the child. Remember, most of the toys end up in your baby’s mouth at some point.
The Quality of Indoor Air
Because your baby’s body is still developing, he may not regulate the body temperature as well as an adult can. He may suffer from a heat rash, dehydration, and heatstroke when the room or house is too warm. To keep the room temperatures comfortable, use an ac when it’s too hot.
To ensure the baby is safe when using the ac, don’t place the unit near the baby’s crib and make sure it’s serviced and cleaned regularly. A dirty ac emits dust and harmful gases that can cause illness to the baby and everyone else in the home.
Also, don’t let the temperatures get too low because cold weather can freeze the baby. It also helps to moisturize the baby’s skin as the ac can dry it. Additionally, keep the room well ventilated.
If you are unsure of a product or a practice, consult your pediatrician or an experienced person. Most baby accidents happen because the parents were not aware of the dangers they exposed their children to.