Children of all ages are in a state of continual development. With every passing year, their bodies become better coordinated and their ability to interact with the world around them improves. Although progress is often surprisingly rapid, it is still important to protect children from common household threats to their wellbeing. Here are five straightforward ways you can make your home and garden a safe environment for kids.
1. Keep Dangerous Items Out of Reach
Many everyday materials can be extremely harmful if they fall into a child’s hands. Cleaning products, plastic bags, batteries, medication, and other hazardous items must be secured somewhere children can’t see or access them. A high cupboard with a child-proof lock is the best option. You should also explain why certain materials are dangerous by talking to your child about which substances are poisonous.
2. Avoid Tripping Hazards
Clumsiness is normal for kids, but it can still lead to injury. Fortunately, you can take steps to reduce a child’s chances of tripping. Pick up objects from the floor and clean up spills as soon as they occur. Even the surfaces in your garden can be made safer. When you buy porcelain paving, for example, you improve the safety of your garden by creating a smoother path. Children are highly prone to running, tripping, and falling, so laying surfaces that have few ridges will limit the number of falls. Repair or replace any uneven or broken flooring to avoid an accident.
3. Prevent Electric Injury
Before children are old enough to learn about the dangers of electricity, you must protect them from harm by covering all electrical sockets. Children can put their fingers or other small objects in the holes of sockets, so buying specially designed covers is the safest choice. Keep wires and cords out of reach and don’t leave electronics on in case they overheat and cause a fire.
4. Maintain Furniture Stability
Some children like to try and climb furniture, which is an obvious hazard due to the potential for large and heavy objects to fall on the child. Make sure that larger pieces of furniture are secured to the floor or wall as necessary. Discourage your kids from standing on tables or chairs, especially if these can easily slide out from under their feet.
5. Use Gates and Lock Doors
If there are parts of your home that are particularly hazardous, use a child-proof gate to keep young kids from getting in. People with small children use these gates at the top and bottom of their staircases to avoid their children falling. Keep exterior doors locked to prevent children from leaving the home unattended.
As children grow up and learn about the world, they will naturally come across potentially dangerous situations. It is a normal part of childhood to learn how to safely navigate these situations with the guidance of an adult; however, common household dangers can be limited to avoid serious harm. Use the above tips to make your home and garden a safer place for your children to play.
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