We’ve already discussed car seat and sleep safety measures in our Child Safety Week coverage, and in this edition, we’ll be going over something that's often overlooked: safeguarding in the home.

What cost-effective safety measures can you implement to create a secure environment for your little ones to explore and play safely?

The importance of safeguarding your home to prevent avoidable baby and toddler accidents can’t be overstated. From sharp corners to steep staircases, there are loads of potential hazards around your home that you might not have even considered before, so today, we’ll point them out so you can take action.  

 

Best Safeguarding Techniques for Babies

It’s every parent’s nightmare to have to go to the ER with their child after an accident that could’ve easily been avoided. Things like falls, burns, and cuts can be vastly reduced if you take proactive measures to safeguard your home. Not only will your little one develop the independence and self-confidence to wander freely, but you’ll have the peace of mind that they are safe to explore and learn in a hazard-free environment.  

 

What Sort of Hazards Should I Be Looking For?

So, what things can you put in place to create a safe space for your baby or toddler? Don’t worry, you don’t have to spend a fortune babyproofing your home; just a few minor changes can make all the difference. Let’s look at them now:

 

1. Safety Gates

Safety gates are essential for blocking off staircases, doorways, and other areas of the home that pose a risk to young children.

Choose safety gates that are sturdy, securely mounted, and meet stringent safety standards for your child's age and development.

If your gates don’t fully cover the area you need to block off, be sure to cover the remaining open area with boards or safety netting.  

 

2. Bed Guards

If your child is a little bit older and now sleeps in their own bed, then a bed guard is a great addition to ensure your little wriggler doesn’t fall out of bed in the middle of the night.  

 

3. Childproofing

This isn’t as harsh as it first sounds! Childproofing just means identifying and securing potential hazards throughout the home.

This involves introducing simple solutions such as safety latches on cabinets and drawers, stoppers on doors, covering plug sockets, installing window guards to prevent falls, moving chemicals, poisons, and medicines out of reach, and covering hot radiators to prevent burns.

 

4. Furniture Anchoring

Little ones love to pull themselves up on things as they become more mobile, so heavy furniture such as bookcases, dressers, and TVs must be anchored to the wall to prevent them from tipping over.

Use straps or anchors to securely secure furniture to the wall to reduce the risk of serious injury from tip-over accidents.

 

5. Cord Management

This one is so easy to overlook, but your unsuspecting little explorers are highly susceptible to these types of choking hazards.  

Take care to keep cords for blinds, curtains, and electrical appliances out of reach of children.

If you can’t move cords out of reach, use cord shorteners or winders to prevent strangulations.

 

6. Secure Rugs and Carpets

Babies and toddlers are often unstable on their feet as they learn to walk, stand on their own, and take those first intrepid steps, so using non-slip pads or double-sided tape to secure rugs and carpets to the floor will help avoid any unnecessary falls, bumps, and injuries.

 

Free Home Safety Checklist

This free home safety checklist will make sure you don’t miss anything when it comes to creating a safe environment for your child or children.  

Also, don’t forget that CAPT has free downloadable safety resources if you want to get involved with Child Safety Week yourself.

And if you have any inquiries regarding the safety gates or bed guards that we stock, feel free toreach outto us; we’d love to help!

Be sure to head over to our blog for some indispensable safety advice on feeding in a highchair, but until then, happy safeguarding!