How to properly childproof your humble abode to keep it safe for your children.
Whether you are shopping for a new property as a family with youngsters in tow, or as a couple with plans to start a family very soon, it is important that your new home is a safe haven for everyone living in it. As much as every parent feels they have done a well and thorough enough job of childproofing their home, there are always potential hazards that are overlooked. Sufficient childproofing does not only entail the installment of baby gates, locks and outlet covers, there are many other parts of the home that require attention to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your children. Read on to find out the best ways to properly childproof your home.
Cabinets and television are properly secured to the wall.
Young children are curious by nature and their curiosity may lead them on dangerous paths; for instance, they may feel the need to climb up cabinet shelves or television consoles to reach for that shiny object they simply must have. It is therefore important that all tall cabinets, book shelves and television sets are all secured to the wall so that they do not present the risk of falling over.
Safety gates installed
Some of the places where you must have baby safety gates installed include the top and bottom of stairs, entrance to the balcony, kitchen, bathroom, and any other areas in your home that you do not want your child to venture into.
Small toys and stationery are kept away
It is important that you let your child play with toys that are safe for their age group so that you can be sure that there will not be any small items that may be lodged in their throat. However, you must also take note of other hazardous items such as broken crayons and pencils, broken eraser bits, and other plastic packaging pieces.
Store medication, ointment, cleaning detergent, and toiletries away
Do not store these items high up on a cabinet as curious children may climb up surfaces to get to them, but rather keep them under lock and key in a medicine box, drawers or in the storeroom.
Keep furniture away from windows
Move couches, chairs, coffee tables, side cabinets, cribs and beds away from windows so that children will be unable to climb up them and place themselves in the dangerous situation of possibly falling out. It would be best to have window grilles installed in the rooms where your children spend most of their time in, but even when you do have window grilles or guards installed, you should still keep furniture away from windows as an extra precaution.
What are some of the things to look out for when shopping for a family-friendly home?
- Location
Your child may be a newborn now, but there will come a day when they will hit school-going age. With this in mind, you should always keep the location of your home a priority when property shopping.
Another important feature to look out for is the traffic in the area. You should observe and note whether or not there are busy streets in the vicinity and if there are enough traffic lights and moderated road crossings.
- Is your potential new home close to schools and after school care?
- Will your child be able to commute safely and to and from school?
- Is the traffic nearby overly busy? Are the streets safe for pedestrians?
- Size
If you are planning to expand your family, it is definitely crucial that you look into a bigger home in order to accommodate future requirements. Children can be noisy during playtimes, so having the luxury of being able to set aside a room as a playroom may be beneficial to your wellbeing in the long run.
- How many rooms are there in the house and is it enough for your family?
- Are the dining and living areas sufficiently spacious enough for your family and guests?
At Suntrust Properties, we care about your needs. No matter what type of home you’re looking for, we’re sure that you’ll find the right home for you with our wide array of house models and condominium units. Discover your #SuntrustHome now.
