How to Make Your Home Safer for Your Kids

Having kids is a joyous, life-changing experience. However, from the moment they are born, you never stop worrying about them. Of course, you want to protect them from every danger, but unfortunately, this is impossible. And when it comes to babies and toddlers, keeping them safe can be particularly hard and stressful. Their fragility, curiosity, and lack of experience make them prone to accidents. And this applies both outdoors and indoors. Therefore, setting up a comfortable home environment for them is not enough; you also have to make it safe. Or at least as safe as it can be. Since it’s impossible to avoid all bumps and bruises, here are some ideas on how to make your home safer for your kids.

Old home vs. new home

If you’re expending a baby or you’re planning to grow your family, you should first determine whether your current home is the right fit. On the one hand, babies take up a lot of space with all the babywear, toys, and clothes that require constant changing. On the other hand, living in a small and crowded home can pose many dangers for kids. For example, it can be hard to clean the place properly, so your baby might get sick. Or a toddler might get hurt trying to climb some of your stacked belongings. 

Therefore, you should assess your living situation carefully and determine whether it’s time to upsize. Now, if you decide to move, don’t expect it to be easy, particularly if you already have one or more kids. So, when moving with kids, try to make it less stressful for them and you by planning everything in detail. You should also try to avoid disrupting their familiar routine.  

The best advice for how to make your home safer for your kids is to start from the bottom up

As an adult, it’s easy to overlook many things. So, to make your home safe for your kids, you have to assess everything from their perspective. Get down on all fours and scan every room. Identify every item that might attract your kid, or that is within reach. And be aware that kids grow up fast. So, your crawling baby will soon turn into a toddler who can move around and climb things. Make a list of every potential hazard and then look for solutions.

Make your floors kid-friendly

When it comes to your floors, it’s as much about protecting your kids as it is about protecting your floors from your kids. Firstly, babies crawl and lick everything, while toddlers run around the house and fall frequently. Secondly, we all know kids are incredibly messy and destructive, so you need floors that can withstand that.

The first thing you need to do is pick a suitable material. Hardwood flooring is an excellent option because it’s durable, non-toxic, and easy to clean, not to mention that it looks great. And you also have the option of installing underfloor heating for some added comfort. However, if you have a limited budget, you can opt for cheaper laminate flooring. On top of that, it is scratch and stain-resistant, which is essential when you have kids.

Now, one of the best ideas for how to make your home safer for your kids is to use toddler mats for floor play. Since babies and toddlers spend a lot of time playing on the floor, you should make it comfortable for them. Not to mention that kids tend to fall frequently, so soft surfaces are highly-recommended. Moreover, these special mats are durable, non-toxic, and easy to clean.

Furthermore, just because you have kids doesn’t mean your home can’t be stylish. And for this purpose, you can opt for a modern play mat. Forget about those old carpets with kid-inspired designs, and opt for a beautiful modern design that will complement your home. 

Protect your kids from electricity

Babies and toddlers are constantly on the move, exploring every corner of the house. And one of the biggest hazards they face is electricity. So, to prevent any accidents, you must cover all electrical outlets with plastic covers. This way, your kids won’t be able to stick their fingers inside them and get electrocuted. You should also hide all electrical wires and cables behind baseboards or use floor cord covers.

Secure the furniture

The moment your kid learns how to walk, every piece of furniture in your home becomes a hazard. On the one hand, toddlers lose their balance easily and trip frequently, so falls are unavoidable. Therefore, you should childproof your furniture with edge protectors and corner guards. On the other hand, toddlers love climbing, so they risk furniture falling on top of them. Thus, you should anchor all furnishings, including the TV, to the walls. And you can also opt for wide-base pieces of furniture that are more stable.

Lock everything

You can’t keep an eye on your kids every moment of every day. And since they love exploring, they never sit still. So, to ensure their safety, you should put locks on everything. Firstly, you should make sure there’s no way they can open the windows or the front door because you wouldn’t want them to wander outside. Secondly, you should add childproof locks and latches to all the cabinets and drawers.

Protect your kids from poisonous items

Since kids are very curious, one way in which they explore the environment is by tasting everything. They will lick every surface you can think of, and they will place every item within their reach in their mouth. So, keep all cleaning products and chemicals under lock and key. Furthermore, you should make sure that all paints and varnishes you use around the house are non-toxic.

Final thoughts

Becoming a parent is a wonderful experience. But it also comes with a lot of stress and worries. After all, you can only do so much to ensure their safety. And even when you take all the necessary precautions, accidents still happen. But limiting those accidents is still better than nothing. So, consider these ideas on how to make your home safer for your kids. And feel free to take any other measures you can think of to keep your kids safe and happy.

Guest Blogger: 

Jassica Mendez