How to Make Your Home Safer for Kids

Children are filled with natural curiosity and an abundance of energy. While it is certainly a joy to watch kids experience new things and discover the world, curiosity and energy can often lead to accidents. Children sometimes take tumbles down stairs, get in to kitchen cabinets Gate Valve holding hazardous chemicals, burn their fingers on hot stovetops and hurt themselves on sharp furniture corners. These events are often a parent's worst nightmare, but they can often be avoided. The following tips can help make your home a safer place for your children.
In the Kitchen
Always turn the handles of saucepans and pots to the side when you are cooking on the stove.
All sharp utensils like knives, graters and scissors, should be kept in a locked drawer or hard-to-reach space.
Children should be taught to never turn on a gas stove or play with dials.
Cleaning Products
All cleaning supplies should be kept in a locked cabinet or in a high space that children cannot reach.
Products should be properly labeled and children should be taught to recognize chemical solutions.
When cleaning around infants or very young children, use a ventilation fan or keep a window cracked open. Although cleaning fumes may not affect adults, they can seriously harm younger children.
In the Bathroom
Teach kids which faucets produce hot and cold water. Safety valves can help prevent children from turning on faucets unsupervised.
Keep all medications, makeup products, hair products, razors and other items in a child-resistant drawer or cabinet.
Store all medications in child-proof containers.
Always supervise children under the age of five when taking a bath. Teach children to stay out of the bathtub when an adult is not present.
In the Living Room and Bedrooms
Teach children that bookcases and other furniture are not for climbing. If possible, attach all shelves to the wall to prevent tipping.
Safety gates can be placed before stairs to prevent children from falling or entering forbidden areas.
Furniture with sharp corners should be padded with cushioning or foam or removed from the play area.
To avoid shocks, cover all unused electrical sockets with a plastic cover.
Place anti-slip guards underneath rugs and mats. A rubber mat can be used in a play area to cushion falls and prevent slipping.
These tips can help create a safe environment for your child at home, but the best way to prevent accidents is to always watch your children and teach them basic safety rules. Children should be taught to avoid playing with adult tools, that only food, not other objects, should be consumed and that certain areas must be off-limits. Even if you have followed all these tips to child-proof your home and talked to your kids about safety, keep a list of emergency contacts near the phone and always have a fully-stocked first aid kit on hand.