4 Ways To Childproof Your New Home

A home should be a sanctuary in which your children can grow, learn and change as people. It shouldn’t be a threatening place with potential hazards here, there and everywhere. You could think that your home is amazing, with great features for mum and dad, but you may have overlooked some potential issues that could cause accidents or features that just aren’t child friendly. Here are some of the best ways to not only keep your child safe in your new house, but also to keep your new house safe from your child.

 

1.   Opt For Laminated Flooring

For those starting a new family, buying a new home may be at the top of their list, as their current home may not have the safety features or facilities needed to support children. If this is the case then Azembel can help with providing support with your mortgage so that your dream family home is one step closer.

A lot of new homeowners decide to cover their floor with carpets, in an attempt to make it safer and softer for their children in case they fall or knock items over. However, although carpets may feel softer underfoot, they provide minimal (if any) protection, meaning that a fall is still going to hurt. Not to mention that carpets can easily become dirty and stained, so it will be exceedingly difficult to remove stains from your child’s muddy shoes or spilt squash, or even worse – it may be ruined.

That’s why laminated flooring is a great option for households with children as they’re much easier to clean with a mop or a brush, and they can also make your house look amazing with various design options and colours.

 

2.   Cover Your Fireplace

Fireplaces can make a home far cosier and more welcoming, but they can also be a big and typically unconsidered hazard for your children. It’s extremely easy for children to fall and injure themselves against a sharp or stony hearth, so it’s best to ensure that they’re covered with soft pads. To protect your child from potential burns, it’s also worthwhile installing a heat-resistant gate to make sure that they can’t get too close to it.

Houses with electric fireplaces aren’t much safer, as the majority come with small rocks or lumps of coal to create an authentic illusion. It’s important to remove these if your child is small, as these can be a choking hazard, along with other common household items. It’s also vital that fire-stoking tools are always out of reach, as your child could easily be impaled by these.

 

3.   Remove Glass Tables

Glass coffee tables and even dinner tables are becoming more and more popular due to how stylish they are, as well as the way they can make a room feel bigger; and are just one of the top items people are filling their homes with. Despite this, they seriously aren’t suitable when children are around, especially those of a young age, and can be a serious hazard for children learning to walk, or even older children messing around.

Glass coffee tables are the perfect height to injure toddlers who are learning to walk, as their sharp corners are typically at head level, meaning that their eyes and face are in danger.

If the glass is non-tempered, it’s an even greater threat as it means that it’s far more likely to shatter, which could cause dangerous debris to cut your children. If you’re desperate for your glass table to stay, make sure to buy a tempered-glass top to make it sturdier, and buy edge guards so that little ones can’t poke their eyes.

 

4.   Install A Window Guard

Windows are a huge danger to children, especially if they are low to the ground. Measures have to be put in place to ensure that no one can fall out and that it’s safe. Firstly, windows shouldn’t be able to open more than three inches – the size of an adults fist – and window guards should be installed so that children can’t crawl out. For basement windows, it’s recommended to remove the crank and keep it somewhere so that only the parent has access to it.

 

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