Home safety takes effort on the part of parents. Kids are curious by nature, especially babies and toddlers who tend to think everything can go into their mouths. Having a bunch of little kids roaming around your house can be scary. Luckily, there are plenty of things that can be done to keep your kids safe in your home. Let’s take a look at 4 of the most common things you can do.
Install Detectors
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can be lifesaving. Make sure you have these installed outside of bedroom doors. Test them periodically and change the batteries. Let your kids hear what the detectors sound like and teach them what the alarm sound means. Do fire drills so that they understand how to get out of the house without getting hurt. Explain what calling 911 means and how to make the call.
Get Rid of or Lock Up Toxic Chemicals
In an ideal world, we would all be using natural and organic products. These include foods, cleaning agents, personal care products, and fertilizers & weed killers. This is completely doable and is encouraged, but may not be convenient for everyone. Be mindful of chemicals and pesticides when your children are playing outside or peeking into cabinets inside. If you have chemicals that are potentially poisonous, lock them up. Consider switching to natural cleaning supplies like vinegar and baking soda, and plan on using organic, chemical free lawn and garden products like those by Nature Safe. It is also a good idea to lock up prescription medicines.
Install Window Safety Stops
If your children are young, install operable safety stops on 2nd story windows. These are small devices that prevent a window from being opened wide enough for a child to fall out of the opening. They can be disengaged by an adult or older child in the event of an emergency. You can find more information on window safety at Medicine Net.
Have Adequate Lighting around Your Home
Lighting is very important for the safety of the entire family. Exterior lighting is essential for nighttime. Paths should be well lit by either low light bollards or a flood light (one that won’t annoy the neighbors). Here are some tasteful pathway lighting ideas. Entranceways and garages should be well lit. Nightlights can be helpful in hallways and bathrooms for when your kids get up in the middle of the night. Placing exterior lights on motion sensors can deter intruders.
Our kids are precious. Providing a safe home environment is really important for both them and for your peace of mind. It doesn’t take much and just makes very good and practical sense. You will definitely be able to sleep better at night knowing that your home is safe for your kids.