Baby-Proofing Your Home: Top Fixes You May Be Forgetting
When you first become a parent, and your child begins crawling and walking around, you want to do all you can in order to ensure they don’t get hurt. According to the Australian Child Accident Prevention Foundation, Kidsafe, two Australian children die each week from injuries that could have been prevented.
Most people will baby-proof their home in order to keep their children safe from these kinds of injuries, with the common baby-proofing checklist including blocking electrical sockets, putting locks on toilets and child-proofing cabinets.
But when you have these ticked off what else are you missing? Here are some of the top fixes you may be forgetting when it comes to baby-proofing your home.
Fencing Around Your Property
Of course the first one that comes to our mind is fencing! As the parent of a toddler, you likely know that in a matter of seconds, your child can walk away without you even realising. You may already have fencing or a dividing wall in your back garden, but don’t forget about your front yard. Slat fencing is great for this because it not only keeps kids safe inside but it also keeps prying eyes out.
If you have a pool, things can be even more dangerous. As part of the fencing regulations here in Perth and wider WA it is mandatory to have fencing around your pool, but don’t forget to ensure the fencing adheres to all aspects of the legislation. Keep garden furniture, shrubs and even barbeques at a safe distance from the outside of the fence to prevent curious kids climbing over the top.
Bathwater Temperature Monitors
One of the things that you might want to consider when it comes to baby-proofing your home is to purchase a monitor that will show you if the bathwater is too hot. The recommended temperature for toddlers in the bathtub is between 37 and 38 degrees Celsius. There are now devices on the market that will do this for you. From rubber duckies that change colour if the water is too hot to floating bath toys with a temperature readout. These devices will help your child avoid burns when in the bath.
Safety Glass in Your Windows
Another thing you can do when it comes to baby-proofing your home is to replace the window glass in your home with safety glass. This is especially true if you have windows that are low to the ground inside but a few levels up outside or doors that have full windows. If a child falls into a window with safety glass, they will not get cut. However, if they fall into a regular glass window, they could receive serious injuries.
Door Stops to Prevent Pinched Fingers
As an adult, you may be familiar with the pain associated with catching your fingers in the door when it closes. You probably don’t want your children to feel that same level of pain. One way to prevent the pinching of fingers is to add safety door stops to your home. These very affordable devices can be placed on doors, stopping them from slamming and pinching little fingers. You can use similar devices on sharp table or shelf corners.
Lock Up Medications and Vitamins
Finally, you want to make sure that you are locking up and keeping medications and vitamins out of reach. Kids can easily get poisoned by eating medications. This, of course, includes children’s vitamins. Many medications are flavoured, and kids will often equate them to sweets. Fortunately, there are locked boxes that can store medications. This gives you an extra level of protection for your kids. Even if you put your medications up in a cabinet, kids have a way of getting into them.
For information on our range of high-quality, low-maintenance fencing and gates, please contact our friendly team today.
