subject: Making Your Home Child-proof [print this page] As you find your perfect home as an expat, this responsibility does not end with having a roof over your young ones heads. You not only should protect your children from dangers outside of the home, but also within your very own home. Here are some tips that an Indian family can do to prevent risk and danger from befalling your beloved children.
The Kitchen. This is the most hazardous place in the house. Stoves, ovens, knives and other sharp objects can easily be found by your toddlers or other children. First of all, you need to make sure that the dials of your stove are properly locked (get ovens or stoves with a push and turn lock mechanism). As for other utensils, keep them in drawers or cabinets. A simple childproof lock (often a dial lock) can be placed to prevent children from opening them and getting a hold of these sharp objects.
The Bathroom. This is the second most hazardous place in your home. Because of the tiled flooring, many children often slip and fall hurting themselves. Make sure that all your faucets and joints are properly sealed to prevent leaks. In addition, having non-slip grip tape on the bathroom floor can help in preventing your children from slipping on a wet spot and hurting themselves.
The Living Room. You may think that this is a safe place in your home but this can also be a prime area for danger. Sharp cornered furniture can easily be bumped into by your kid. Picture frames or vases can easily be picked up and thrown around causing bumps and bruises. Rugs or floor runners can be just as easily be moved when children are running about. The safety rule here would be attaching movables to the floor using tape or fastener. As for movables, keep them out of reach of children to avoid accidents from happening.
The Yard. When your child is outdoors in the sun, there are many ways that your child can be in danger. Properly secure play sets to the ground and have tools and other implements in a shed under lock and key. If you see signs that a wild animal is in your property, make sure that you call the Animal Control experts in your area to properly look over your property. Also, make sure you are within hearing distance of your children when they are outside so that when they cry for help or danger you can be there by their side at a moment's notice.
Even before childproofing your home, you need to talk to your kids on what they can do or not do. You need to find a balance between safety and comfort, as too much child proofing can make even your life more difficult. Making them understand the danger, either through parental advice or explanation after the incident can help mold them into more responsible individuals. Besides, you can still make your home enjoyable to live in once you child proof your home to prevent accidents and put your mind at ease.
