10 Ways to Childproof Your Home

When people become parents, they start noticing that the world is extremely dangerous for the child. The danger is almost everywhere: hard floor, small items, drafts and dirty toys. Some parents cherish their children so much that they seem to be ready to protect them from the outside world and disinfect everything around. However, such parental behavior only hurts the children. In this survey, we have gathered really useful tips that will help ensure your children’s safety.

1. Get yourself a window and door alarm

Locks, bolts and handles placed high help ensure the safety of an overly curious child. However, it is really good when you hear a signal every time a door or window is opened. The basic wireless alarm for door and window control costs about $10. A really good security system in the whole house will cost $200- $400.

2. Keep the medical records of the child’s and family illnesses

If the doctor knows the history of your child’s diseases, it may help them quickly set a diagnosis in case of illness and prescribe the necessary medication without the risk of allergic reactions. You also need to keep a record of any serious illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, allergies, etc. in parents.

3. Keep detergents on the upper shelves

If you have a child at home, it is necessary to ensure that detergents are beyond the child’s access – either on a high shelf or in a locked cabinet. This rule applies to all the chemicals, which may be drunk, especially packaged in bright and colorful boxes and bottles.

4. Do not leave the child alone with a dog

No matter how much people like and trust their dogs, a little child must never be left with it alone. Even the best-trained dog may bite the child, if he or she accidentally pulls its hair or tries to snatch food from the dog’s mouth. It is also desirable that the dog has a “safe place” where it could retreat if it is tired of the child’s molestation.

5. Sterilize toys, bottles…

From time to time, you need to disinfect the things that get into the child’s hands or mouth. Most bottles and cups come with instructions on how to properly sterilize them (usually boil in a large saucepan for 5 -15 minutes). Plush toys can be placed in a pillowcase and washed in the washing machine. They need to be dried afterwards in a warm place.

Plastic toys without batteries can be disinfected in the washing machine or rinsed with very hot soapy water. The surfaces in the house can be cleaned with disinfectant wipes or undiluted vinegar (of course, you need to make sure everything is dry before the child starts playing in the room).

6. Sun protection

Young children of all skin colors are at risk of sunburn when subject to prolonged sun exposure. It is necessary to limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and be sure to use sunscreen.

7. Do not leave the child in the car

Every summer there are accidents when children are left in the car in the hot sun. This often leads to very sad results. You always have to take the child out of the car, even when you leave for 5 minutes, otherwise these minutes can be fatal.

8. Do not leave the child unattended in the water

Drowning is among the five most common fatal accident causes in the United States. However, about 20% of drowning victims are children. You should never leave a child unattended near water.

9. Make sure that there are no sharp objects nearby

You should always carefully observe if the child is playing with something sharp (such as a pencil). He or she can easily get hurt. Better remove all sharp things from the child’s sight.

10. Secure electrical outlets

Electrical outlets are located directly within the children’s reach, and, moreover, children like to develop their motor skills by popping things such as keys and pens into these sockets. Be sure to purchase and install the covers on the sockets.