Toddler-proofing tips to protect them from harm
| Text : Liana Cafolla | Photo : www.thinkstockphotos.com |
If you’ve ever found bubbles frothing out of your toilet, chocolate biscuits pounded into your sofa, or orange juice oozing from under the fridge door, your toddler is experimenting. And since they can get everywhere and into everything, it’s impossible to avoid these messes. But it’s possible that, with some forethought and a few accessories, you can make your home a lot safer for your young explorer. Here are the six steps to childproofing your home.
1 Installing window guards to prevent children falling out of windows is one measure that’s essential in Hong Kong. The metal frames affixed to the inside window frame may be unsightly, but they can be removed later. By having them, it will give you peace of mind that your child won’t become one of the dozens of annual casualties who are seriously injured or killed after falling out of a window. The most basic styles cost around HK$1,000 per window to install, with two or three frames needed for each window. Another option is to install locks on your window frames, although in many cases that means a costly replacement of the frames.
2 Many accidents happen in the kitchen and that’s usually where toddlers want to be. The combination of food, water and lots of pots and pans is appealing to tiny tots. Keep sharp knives and scissors far from toddlers’ reach, as well as household bleach and other potentially lethal cleaning products. Installing a kitchen gate will keep your children out but still allows them to see and hear you. One can also be used to prevent children accessing the stairs or other rooms. They are available in different heights and widths and most are adjustable and fairly simple to install. Find a selection at Mothercare’s website, www.mothercare.com.hk.
3 Little fingers easily find their way into electrical sockets and can get badly shocked. If you have sockets located near ground level, it’s worth making a small investment in electrical socket safety covers, which are available in most electrical appliance and hardware stores.
4 Using child-friendly materials when designing your home helps to create a safe environment. Choosing non-toxic paints for the walls is beneficial not just for children and the family but also for the environment. Many traditional solvent-based paints contain potentially harmful chemicals such as mercury, formaldehyde, lead, cadmium and chromium. These can create Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that may irritate eyes and skin, and cause headaches and breathing problems. Look for paints with a zero or low VOC content to minimise exposure, and use fans and open windows to ensure adequate ventilation to expel fumes after painting a room. Choose a glossy or semi-gloss finish rather than matte in children’s room for easier cleaning.
5 Limiting the use of glass and hard surfaces such as marble floors and glass tables in your home will help ensure that any collisions are not life-threatening. Keep heavy ornaments out of children’s reach. Put an anti-slip underlay under rugs to keep them in place; they’re available from www.ikea.com.hk.
6 Choose furniture that doesn’t have sharp corners and is easy to clean when the inevitable spillages happen. Round coffee tables are less bruise-inducing than square or rectangular ones. For children’s areas, soft and pliable furnishings like beanbags are ideal. Select durable, washable covers for couches and cushions, and padded square floor tiles. They are cheap and come in a variety of colours and patterns, and can be cleaned easily.
Related Links on Squarefoot.com.hk
Home and Property Stories via our International Network
|
