It happens to all of us as parents. One day our little bundle of joy is suddenly a moving bundle of energy! When you were once able to just sit and cuddle him on the couch, now he is wanting to check out what is in ever drawer, every cupboard, and behind every piece of furniture. Everything is now his jungle gym. Sound familiar?
Curiosity is a normal part of childhood, but we’ve also heard the phrase “curiosity killed the cat.” The truth is, there are some very real, and very serious, dangers lurking in your home. Some of these you may know about, but others are things you may not have thought of before.
Electrical Outlets: Children always seem to be fascinated by electrical outlets. Whether they are trying to plug things into the outlets or sticking things into the outlet that shouldn’t be in there such as silverware or toys, by playing with the outlet it could lead to your child getting shocked. Always keep unused outlets covered with one of those electrical socket covers and any electrical cords that aren’t in use away.
Cupboards: There were always cupboards that we allowed the boys to get into since there was nothing dangerous or breakable in them, such as the cupboard with the pots and pans. However, any cupboard with anything remotely dangerous in it such as dishes, cleaning supplies, or even spices was always secured with a child-safe latch. Even cupboards above the counter were secured once the boys knew how to climb on a chair to get to the counter.
Chemicals and medications: Although they don’t look remotely appealing to an adult, many chemicals and medications can seem appealing to a child. Medications can look like candy and even those dishwasher and laundry detergent packs can see like something to put in their mouths. This is why I always put some of those Mr. Yuk stickers on all of our chemicals (and teach the boys what the stickers mean) as well as put the chemicals in high, secured cupboards.
Stairs: It might be a pain to have to maneuver around baby gates on the stairs, but having a gate to keep children from both going up the stairs unattended as well as down the stairs unattended is very important. You wouldn’t want your child to go up the stairs and then try to get down without knowing how and accidentally falling down the steps. If it is a problem, you can buy a gate that swings which would make navigating around it much easier.
Water: A child can drown in just an inch of water. This is why it is so important to remove any standing water from inside and outside of your home. Any pools, hot tubs, or ponds should have a fence or at least a surface alarm to alert you to any activity in the water when there isn’t supposed to be. If you have an above ground pool, be sure to install a closable gate on the deck or remove the ladder when the pool is not in use.
Furniture: Just as your child might be tempted to climb out of his crib, climbing other furniture such as dressers or TV stands might also seem attractive — especially if there is something on the top that he is trying to get to. There have been numerous instances of heavy furniture or TV toppling over and killing or seriously injuring children. If your furniture doesn’t already come with them, you can purchase furniture straps or anchors which will secure furniture or TVs to the wall. This way, even if your child climbs it, it won’t topple over.
Blinds: This is probably one of the most overlooked dangers within a home, however window coverings can pose a strangulation hazard to infants, young children, and even pets. This is why it is important to be proactive about window covering safety.
- Move all furniture, cribs, beds and climbable surfaces away from windows.
- Make sure tasseled pull cords are as short as possible.
- Continuous-loop pull cords on draperies and vertical blinds should be pulled tight and anchored to the floor or wall.
- Be sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit inner-cord movement.
- Keep all window cords well out of the reach of children.
Another great option is to install cordless window coverings. This is why I am so glad that companies such as Smith & Noble create window coverings that are safe for consumers. As part of the Window Covering Safety Council, Smith & Noble feels an obligation as an industry leader to protect consumers from potential dangers by offering education and solutions that minimize or eliminate the risks.
What is even better is right now Smith & Noble is offering a trade-in promotion when you purchase Smith & Noble blinds as well as a chance to win $1,000 toward a #SafeandStylish window shade makeover. This is a fabulous opportunity to not only make your home more stylish but also to make your home safer! Plus, you can request free fabric samples or receive a free in-home consultation.
Giveaway!
I am giving away a $15 Walmart gift card in exchange for visiting the Smith & Noble website and learning more about their giveaway. You can then use the Walmart gift card to purchase any other necessary items you might need to make your home safer! The giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. November 20, 2015. Just enter through the form below!
My children are grown but now I have to make safety checks for the grandchildren when they visit.