Ways to ensure Child Safety at Home

We tend to associate the term ‘safety’ with places that we are most comfortable with, like our homes! However, a research study found that 54% of home injuries were from the age group of 1-3 years. This data suggests how imperative it is to re-consider child safety at home. 

Our houses consist of many objects, such as toys, batteries, medicines, furniture, hot and sharp objects, etc. As a guardian, we must ensure safety measures are kept in place to avoid any type of injury. 

To make it easier for you, we have collated a childproofing/ babyproofing checklist to ensure safety at home for kids. 

1.Children should not be left alone in the water. 

Playing in the water can be a fun activity and helps toddlers develop their gross motor skills and physical fitness. However, it is important to supervise them as unintended actions may result in harmful consequences. Do not leave them unattended, even if you just need to grab your phone from the other room! 

2. Detergents and chemical products should be out of reach.

It is natural for toddlers to be inquisitive. Given that detergents have a strong odour, your child may get curious and start meddling with them. By locking these products in a cabinet or storing them on a high shelf, you protect your child from accidentally inhaling harmful vapours, or consuming them. 

3. Childproofing your electrical outlets is a must. 

Electrical outlets and switches may pique your child’s curiosity. Moreover, unattended gadgets/ devices connected to the plug points may intrigue a child; leading them to play with them. This can be very dangerous: hence, babyproofing all reachable electrical outlets should be a priority. You can do so by covering them with electrical guards or socket covers. If your toddler is old enough, you can start teaching them about electricity and the dangers that come with it as well. If you’re looking for ways to conserve energy and electricity at home, we have a detailed blog that you can refer to! 

4. Ensure that all openings in your living space are secured.

Toddlers may not be aware of how doors/ windows work. If left unsupervised, they may get their fingers stuck in the door gaps, or end up accidentally opening your bedroom window! It is advisable to have secured locks on all windows and doors that cannot be unlocked easily. You can also improve child safety at home by installing barriers at the staircase to prevent your kid from crawling. 

5. Your kid’s sleeping area should be clutter-free!

Parents tend to fill their kids’ room with soft toys, pillows, blankets, and so on! However, you need to ensure that all blankets and pillows are tucked in securely to the bed; thus, preventing any accidental suffocation. Practice child safety at home by storing most toys away from the bed, and keeping only a couple of them for the baby to play with. 

6. Sharp home decor items should be placed out of reach.

Decorating our home with the right wall colours, furniture sets, and carpets has become essential in creating a mindful living environment. While most of them are babyproofed, some items like glass vases or showcase pieces may be dangerous for your little one. It is best to keep these items out of their reach to prevent injuries. If you are looking to spruce up your home, we have collated a list of eco-friendly home decor ideas that you can try out! 

7. Pet interaction has to be handled with utmost care.

Pet interaction is often neglected when it comes to safety at home for kids. Generally, kids and pets are caring and affectionate towards each other. However, a kid may not always know how to interact with them correctly. In some cases, a child may accidentally treat a pet like a toy and meddle with them while they are sleeping/ eating. 

It is best to advise your child to maintain some distance if the pet feels uncomfortable, or starts making noise. Also, advise your child to not disturb the pet while they are sleeping or eating. 

To conclude this child safety at home checklist, we suggest you be as vigilant as you can! It is unrealistic to give up all your duties and observe your child’s day-to-day activities. However, you should check in from time to time. If your kid is grown up, you should call them regularly to check on how they are doing. 
If you are interested in buying a new home in Bangalore, you can check out our residential projects that consist of properties ranging from row houses to high-rise gated apartments! You can also check our recent blog on real estate terms if you want to learn more about the industry!