All parents know the feeling when they're taking their kids somewhere and it isn't child proofed. Fact is, if you don't have little kids at home, your house is likely to be very different from one that is child friendly. Here's some tips from a reader on how to make your home welcoming and safe for a young child.
When you're expecting for a baby, emotional maturity and financial security are the two significant aspects that many uses as metrics as to whether you're well-prepared or not. However, parents must also prepare another facet: their house. The living quarters of the baby must be in pristine condition, cleaned up and baby-proofed.
Shelter England just released the findings of their study. Inadequate housing increases the likelihood of children suffering from ill-health and disability during their childhood and early adulthood. There is a higher risk for meningitis, asthma and slow growth. If this is not enough, children who live in bad houses suffer from various mental health and behavioural problems.
Listed down below are ways on how to make your house child-friendly.
Hot Water
A baby will not have enough insulation yet to protect itself from extreme temperatures. Giving your newborn baby cold baths may give it a cold, fever, and other ailments. The sudden decrease in the temperature will wreak havoc inside your poor baby. Installing a boiler will guarantee that your house never runs out of hot water.
Set Up A Play Area
One major headache for parents is that the entire house becomes a playground. You can mitigate this by setting up a play area early on. Your child will get used to playing only in one spot not to mention all the mess (i.e. games & toys) will be concentrated in just one corner.
Childproof The Bathroom
The bathroom has dozens of health hazards for your child. The floors will get wet when you're giving a baby their shower. You can avoid an accident by buying anti-slip mats. Step stools will allow your older kids to reach the sink and wash their hands. This is a much better practice than having them climb over anything that they see to reach an item.
Backyard Playground
Playing outdoors is one crucial stage in the early development of a child. Instead of having your kid play in the streets where unwanted events may fall on them, you can easily set up a playground in the backyard. Setting up a playground does not necessarily mean buying a slide and a swing. A small sandbox would generally suffice.
Decorate With Kids In Mind
When you choose your house decor and aesthetics, make sure that you take into consideration that kids will also be living inside. Paint your walls in bright colours. Bright colours will stimulate your children's senses leading to a more positive mood. Likewise, the central theme of your house can revolve around cartoon characters and animated figures. Many parents have already resigned themselves to the fact that they'll be watching kid's cartoons for years.
Put Sharp Tools & Harsh Chemicals Out Of Reach
Invest in high cabinets so you can put away sharp tools and chemicals. Kids are naturally curious. Additionally, their oral fixation makes them put almost everything they touch into their mouths. Just imagine how disastrous it would be if they get a hold of your knives or your detergents. You should also put any items that are fragile and may break easily in high places (i.e. plates, glasses, etc.).
Child-lock on your refrigerator
Can you imagine the mess that your child would make if they get inside your fridge? You can easily buy some child-proof lock for your fridge so even if they can reach the handle, it would be impossible for your kid to open them.
Get Rid Of Corners
If you have the funds, you can invest in rounded furniture to avoid any mishaps with sharp corners. However, if this is not plausible, covering the edges with tape and any soft material (i.e. cotton, styrofoam, etc.) will do.
Be Prepared With Extra Storage
Before you bring your child home, make sure that you have extra storage prepared. Get rid of your old clothes, used furniture, any other clutter that you can throw out. When you have a baby, you have to buy so many items that will take up so much of your space that you won't have any for your items. This is not taking into account the sheer number of toys that a child gets in his/her formative years.
No Carpet Floors
If you have carpet floors, you should get rid of them immediately. While aesthetically pleasing, carpet and kids do not match. Carpets can potentially house dust and other allergens that can negatively affect your baby's health. Similarly, a baby is messy and makes a lot of spills. Getting stains and food scraps off of carpets is a massive hassle for you. Tiles are much easier to clean.
Cover Windows
Windows are one avenue for kids to get out of your house. This is potentially dangerous if you live on the first floor. Much more so if you're in an apartment way above ground. Make sure that your windows are always locked. You can also cover them with these affordable shades, so your child does not get tempted to come close.