Once a baby becomes a toddler every day is an adventure. Newfound mobility can pose a real danger if precautions aren’t taken to kid-proof living areas. Tiny fingers just can’t wait to grab hold of anything that looks interesting, so it’s up to competent adults to ensure potential household catastrophes are avoided.
5. Use cabinet locks
Keeping harmful chemicals such as household cleaners, laundry detergents, or pesticides on high shelves or cabinets ensures that young children won’t be able to access them. If you’re someone who chooses to keep them on a lower level, then using cabinet locks will keep curious little ones out. It’s also a good idea to use locks where utensils such as knives are located.
All medicines, including vitamins, should be kept at higher levels and children’s safety caps should be requested on prescription medicines. If medicine needs to be refrigerated then place it in the back of the refrigerator where it’s out of view.
6. Place house plants out of reach
Most people don’t think about the dangers of house plants, but if you choose to have them, then place them out of reach. It makes sense to research the type of plant you’re keeping to make sure it isn’t lethal should it be ingested.
7. Invest in safety gates
Investing in several safety gates to block off certain areas of your home might be a good choice to ensure a child doesn’t venture into dangerous areas. Blocking off access to steps can prevent tumbles down them and limiting access to a kitchen area will ensure that a person can cook safely without the fear that a child will get burned touching a hot oven.
8. Use soft bumpers
Using soft bumpers on coffee tables, end tables, television stands, or anything sharp will ensure that a child won’t get injured should he or she fall against the surface. Placing televisions flush on walls or high on television stands will eliminate the fear that the child will pull the equipment onto his or herself. If you have a fireplace, then use a screen to block access to it.
In addition to incorporating safety items in your home, one of the single most important things to remember is that toddlers need to be vigilantly watched at all times. There is no other time in children’s lives where they will be more curious than when they first start walking and exploring their environment. Don’t rely on safety items alone to protect them.
