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Home & Garden Articles
Child Proofing Your Home
Thu 21 Aug 2008 - 08:12
Child Proofing Your Home
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alice_Lane]Alice Lane
Taking simple, but highly important, steps to childproof the home will help ensure your dream home is as safe as possible. Start by getting on your child's level and move from one room to the next. Paying close attention to the following areas of safety will prevent falling, poisoning, burns and drowning.
Look out for sharp corners. Bumping into the coffee table every so often may be frustrating to you. However, from a child's point of view, that same table could result in a head injury rather than a bruised knee for an adult. Adding securely fitted guards or bumpers to tables, cabinets, and other sharp corners helps soften bumps and falls.
Always store cleaning supplies, medicines, and other potential toxins out of reach. All cabinets and drawers that could possibly be accessed by small hands should be fitted with child-safe locks or latches. These small safety measures keep little ones away from harmful substances and from making a game out of emptying all the cabinets. A fun way to divert a child's attention from getting into cabinets where they shouldn't is to designate one low cabinet for appropriate toy storage. Giving children their own space can help keep curious kids out of other cabinets.
Cover all electrical outlets. Many homeowners are familiar with the small plastic covers that fit over electrical outlets. These are a simple and successful way in preventing young children from accidentally accessing outlets. However, children as young as three have been known to pry these covers from the outlets. Planning outlet locations in the home design stage can also be beneficial for child safety. Once you have selected the perfect house plan ranch simple or grand colonial take some time to carefully consider outlet locations.
Safety gates keep children and pets from getting into spaces they shouldn't. Gates that screw into the walls are considered sturdier than pressure gates, but it is most important to look for the Juvenile Protection Manufacturers Association seal when purchasing a safe and easy-to-use gate.
Window screens are not in place to prevent falls merely to allow air movement from the outdoors. If windows are open and children are present, it is important to have safety nets or guards in place. Always keep in mind that some safety treatments cannot be quickly removed so one window needs to be designated for emergency evacuation.
Appliances on top of a counter and/or tabletop are in danger of becoming falling hazards if not properly secured. Electrical cords should not left to dangle and be pulled, and buttons and knobs should not accessible from the front. If it's a large appliance, it should be anchored to the wall.
Watch your children around water! Small children can drown in less than two inches of water and can be severely burned should temperatures rise above 120 degrees. Toilet locks and gauges to monitor water temperature are simple materials that can prevent terrible injuries.
Make sure you have the proper lighting. How often have you obnoxiously stubbed a toe in the dark or tripped on your shoes while working your way to the bathroom at night? For many children, the dark is more frightening than frustrating and can result in disorientation and accidents. Small nightlights along walkways create a reassuring path and highlight obtrusions without being intrusive to those sleeping. Whether designing you dream harmony mountain cottage home plan for summer vacations or an urban loft retreat, lighting for safety and ambiance is critical.
These important safety precautions cannot be considered foolproof but definitely go a long way in preventing common injuries. Remember that child proofing is ever changing just as your children are constantly growing and learning. You can keep up to date on home safety ideas and much more by visiting House Plans and More. It is easiest to consider safety issues right from the planning stages and work them into your [http://www.houseplansandmore.com/homeplans/prairie_house_plans.aspx]prairie style home plans, harmony mountain cottage home plan or whatever you decide on. But retrofitting is always an option if you have already finished up your dream [http://www.houseplansandmore.com/homeplans/ranch_house_plans.aspx]house plan ranch simple or grand colonial. Common sense, quick reactions, and a few specialized tools can make your home as safe as you dream.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alice_Lane http://EzineArticles.com/?Child-Proofing-Your-Home&id=1423785
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