Childproofing (also known as Babyproofing) is the act of making our home or objects safer for kids. As we all know SUPERVISION is the best way to prevent injuries in the home but I think we can’t keep kids completely out of harm’s way.
Both my hubby and myself did an extreme makeover in home for Rithvik (He is one and half years now). Here are some of the simple changes what we have done for him and even you can implement when you childproof your home.
Amazing Ways to Childproof Your Home within Budget
2. Edge guard or Edge bumpers
Table edges or furniture edges are very dangerous for a little kid learning to walk. It can badly hurt their forehead and eye area. If you have glass furnitures check whether it’s tempered or non-tempered (which shatters easily).
If tempered put it in a room your kids can’t access or buy a new tempered-glass top. Use edge guards to help prevent injuries against sharp edges of furniture.
3. Electrical outlet covers or outlet plates
Outlet covers can protect children from electrical shock.
4. Non slip bathroom mats
A little water on the bathroom floor is dangerous so always after bath, make sure you mop up all water on the floor. Keep toilet doors always closed and use grip non slip bathroom mats.
5. Remove carpets
Most of us use carpets in our home. Its true that carpets provides a soft, warm surface for small children to play on. But long back I read in a scientific journal that carpets can harbor a number of pollutants that pose risks to children and people with asthma or allergies.
Dust mites, heavy metals, pesticides and other persistent chemicals can all be found in household dust which accumulates in carpets and is difficult to remove. So better to remove carpets from your floor.
6. Pet Birds
Birds can carry a number of diseases that can be dangerous to infants and children under the age of 5, whose immune systems are not yet well developed. The diseases carried by birds include: Chlamydia psittaci or psittacosis. This is a bacterial infection that can be carried by pet birds including parakeets, parrots, macaws and cockatiels as well as turkeys and ducks.
I personally suggest not to bring birds into your home as pets when you have a small baby/kid. Sadly,we gave away our two cockatiel birds (Kiku & Miku ).
7. Indoor plants
Once our kids start walking, our small garden become wonderful places for them to explore. As they love putting things in their mouth, it’s always a good idea to keep indoor plants out of reach.
We shifted plants from living room to another part where Rithvik can’t access. The good news is that my plants start growing faster than before due to the direct exposure to sun light.
8. Wall shelf
We changed our pooja accessories to wall shelf. Shift those type of accessories to places where your kids can’t access.
9. Closed shoe storage cabinet
Two weeks back Rithvik started playing with shoes, sandals etc. As we are staying in flat, we can’t put shoes on corridors. We bought a closed shoe cabinet recently .
If you have kids who play with shoes and sandals, it’s better to go for a shoe cabinet or find other alternative solution.
10. Night lights
Providing night lights in a darkened sleep room also will prevent tripping. We used LED wall lights which acts as a beautiful home dĂŠcor too.
11. Medicines
Always keep medicines in a locked drawer/cupboard or where you think your kids can’t access .
12. Household chemicals and other toxic items
Check these items are out of reach or lock them up. We used a separate room for all these stuffs.
13. Safe space arrangement with rubber or foam mats
Planning for children’s play spaces can minimize the risk of injury. I used alphabets and number mats on his play area and around the sleeping area.
14. SUPERVISION
The last but not least ….our positive and active supervision
Most of these safety devices which I mentioned are easy to find and are relatively inexpensive. You can buy them at hardware stores, baby equipment shops, supermarkets or online stores.
Hope I provided some useful tips for all the lovely parents to childproof your home and keep your kids on safer side. Share with your ideas too.
Happy and safe parenting.