Isn’t it is great to have a kid at home? But with excitement they bring responsibilities too. They are so fragile that we have to give them our full attention to help them grow. It is not just our daily routine changes with that little one but we should make some changes to our homes as I did in my flats in Chennai Pallavaram to keep them safe in it. We know a kid safe house is very important but a crucial thing to do, hence we listed up the list for you so that you don’t forget a single thing.
WHOLE HOUSE:
- Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs and in the doorways of rooms to block it.
- Staircases should have solid handrails and securely affixed flooring to prevent slipping.
- Use nightlights in halls and near stairs to avoid falling at night.
- Use doorknob covers to keep children away from rooms.
- Use doorstops to protect your baby's fingers.
- Use window guards on windows.
- Vacuum your house regularly to suck up any small item that can cause choking to the baby
- Use rubbish bins with childproof lids.
- Put locks or latches on cupboards, drawers and refrigerator to prevent it from opening.
- Any tables, desks, dressers, and any other large furniture should be anchored down with an anchor strap to avoid the furniture tipping or falling over if the child climbs on it.
- Keep any breakable items such as glass, photo frames, vase etc, out of reach.
- Cover your glass window and door by using decals, so that the kids do not walk through it.
- Avoid an electrical fire by making sure that all appliances are in good working order and no wires are frayed.
- Cover the electrical outlets with plastic caps.
- Use electrical tape to attach electrical cords to the wall as they pose a strangling hazard and shock risk if chewed on or wrapped around the neck.
KITCHEN:
- Use Stove-knob covers, to prevent the child from turning on the burners.
- While cooking turn the pot handles towards the wall, so that the kids do not reach it
- Move all the dangerous, poisonous and hazardous things like knife, cleaning supplies and detergents on the top cabinet and put safe things lower.
- Install safety latches on cabinets and drawers to keep children away from any hazardous items.
- Make a danger zone limit mark on the floor around three-foot safety margin around the stove with tape so older kids know it's off limits.
BATHROOM:
- Lock toilet lids to prevent drowning.
- Install anti-scalding devices on faucets and shower heads to prevent burns or
- Use a thermometer to ensure that the bathwater is in a safe temperature.
- Eliminate any standing water to prevent drowning; don't leave water in bathtubs or buckets.
- Keep mouthwash, medicines, and cleaners or chemicals stores in cabinets with child locks or latches
- Cover unused electrical outlets with outlet protectors or safety caps, especially near the water area.
- Put a non-slip mat in the bathroom to prevent slipping.
- Fill the bath tub just enough to cover your baby's legs to prevent drowning.
LIVING ROOM:
- Keep the TV on a table or mount it on the wall.
- Keep vase on shelves to prevent cuts through breakage.
- Secure the furniture which can tumble such as bookcases, shelving, and heavy furniture to walls with brackets and anchors
- Put corner and edge cushion bumpers on furniture to guards any sharp-cornered surfaces.
- Do not place the furniture near window to prevent falling.
- Do not use long cords in window blinds as it may leads to strangulation.
- Use rugs with padded backings or apply duct tape to the back and tape to carpet to prevent slipping. Try to keep rugs from rumpling up.
- Electrical tape to secure electric cords away from baby.
- Keep the mirrors and frames hung securely with a strong hook.
CHILD’S ROOM:
- A thick piece of carpet or a rug to make cushion and prevent hurt from falling.
- A safe toy box which kids find safe to keep and take toys from it without any struggle.
- UL-listed night-lights and replacement bulbs.
- Try not to use the toys which has buttons, eyes, beads, ribbons, or other pieces your baby could pull off and choke on.
- Regularly inspect toys for any loose parts. Vacuum the floors of your apartment in Chennai for removing small toys or items.
- Toy should not be very big and heavy as it can cause suffocation or it may hurt the baby if it fell on them.
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