Home Safety Hacks You Won’t Want To Miss
If you have children, you’ll quickly find that you need to make adjustments to your home to prevent accidents and keep them safe. It’s not always possible to avoid every slip or trip, especially in the early days when they’re wobbly on their feet. But taking precautions can help to make your home a safer place. Here are some helpful hacks you won’t want to miss.
Reducing the risk of slips, trips, and falls
Slips, trips, and falls are the most common type of household accident. It’s not just children who are at risk of losing their footing. Falls are also very common among adults. Try and make sure the flooring in every room is in good condition, and tend to any areas that are frayed, ripped or uneven. Block off stairways with child gates if you have young children, and try and keep on top of tidying. It can be tough to keep floors clear when the kids are playing with toys, but they’re a major hazard, and there’s nothing more painful than standing on Lego pieces with bare feet. Take extra care when you’re going up and down stairs, especially if you’re carrying a baby. Supervise younger children, and offer them a hand to steady them. Ensure that the handrail is fixed securely to the wall.
Preventing electrical injuries and burns
If you’re using electrical appliances, be very careful. If you’re straightening your hair, for example, make sure you switch off the straighteners at the power socket. Supervise your child at all times to ensure that they don’t go near the appliance. In most cases, straighteners and curling tongs stay hot for a while after you turn them off, and this can cause burns. Try and keep children out of the kitchen. If you are cooking, or you’re preparing a meal in the kitchen, place young children in a high chair or a play den so that they can’t come near the hob. Get your appliances safety checked on a regular basis, and call an electrician if you notice exposed wiring. If you don’t already have an electrician, visit ElectricalConnection.org. Cover power points with guards, and never leave children unattended if you have a fire burning. If you’re a smoker, try and smoke outside, rather than in the house, and never leave lighters or matches within the reach of children.
Keeping dangerous substances away from children
It’s vital that you keep substances, which could harm children, out of their reach. Store medicines and tablets in a locked cupboard, and cleaning products on the top shelf in the laundry. If you suspect that your child may have swallowed something that could be hazardous, seek urgent medical help. For more tips, you’ll find pages like https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000619.htm useful.
We all want our homes to be a place where we feel safe, but even the most peaceful looking sanctuary may be harboring hidden hazards. If you’re a parent, the safety of your child is a priority, and hopefully, these helpful hacks will ensure that you enjoy time together at home without any unexpected accidents or injuries.