You want your home to be safe for your child. While you may have considered other rooms in the house, you may also want to think about their own bedroom. It may not seem like it, but there are a number of hazards within a child’s room that could lead to significant injury. Many parents consider the obvious hazards, such as electrical sockets, but there are others that may not be as apparent. By looking into these, and planning and arranging the room accordingly, you can try to minimise, or negate, accidents from occurring in the first place.
Size of Bed
The type of bed that you choose for your child may depend on their age and weight. It can be a good idea to think about safe toddler beds for smaller children, rather than those that are taller. A larger bed for a small child may not only make them feel small or vulnerable, but the risk of falls can be greater. Having a bed where there are rails or a form of structure on the side can help with this. Higher beds may seem appealing, or fun, but your child may not have the coordination to manage the ladder, especially when half asleep. These types of beds can be potentially considered in a few years, should they wish to have one.
Furniture Security
It is understandable that you want to have a means of storing your child’s clothing and toys, but the solutions to this may also pose their own risk. Some of the time, furniture items, such as drawers or wardrobes, may come with additional screws and brackets so that they can be attached to the wall. While this may mean extra work for you when assembling them, there is definitely a safety benefit. Failure to properly fix furniture to the wall can lead to the item toppling, or falling over. This can lead to severe injury, or even death, especially if the piece of furniture is heavy.
Using a Stair Gate
While you may already use stair gates at the top and bottom of your stairs, they can also be affixed to your child’s bedroom door frame. This can help to prevent your child from wandering around at night. Although they may have a valid reason to leave the bedroom, such as to use the toilet or tell you about a bad dream, there is also a risk of your child coming into contact with harmful chemicals, such as those found in the bathroom, or simply not getting enough good quality sleep. This may be more appropriate for children who are still in nappies, or who have a potty within their bedroom.
Keeping your child safe can help them to have a long and fulfilled life. By making sure that no aspect of their bedroom is overlooked, you can prevent both simple and serious injuries from taking place. Alongside this, teaching your child about hazards will also help them to learn to keep themselves safe in the future.
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