You may think that your Ohio home is safe for your children and your friends’ children. However, your house may not be as childproof as you think. It is important to make sure your home is safe for all of the children who live there, as well as the ones who will visit.
To make sure your home is fully childproof, it is a good idea to walk through each room and look for potential hazards. Parents magazine says you may want to put up a baby gate so small children cannot get into the kitchen by themselves. Additionally, you may want to put latches on your refrigerator and lower cabinets so toddlers cannot open them. Many young children may also be able to reach your counters, so it is a good idea to push appliances like the coffeemaker and the toaster against the wall, with the cords tucked out of reach. It is also a good idea to install a stove guard so toddlers cannot reach the stove knobs and the burners.
Your living room may also have more hazards than you realize. Some coffee tables have sharp corners and small children may cut themselves if they bump into them. It is a good idea to put up edge guards so children bump into padding instead of sharp glass. You may also want to put glass tables in another room. Additionally, it is a good idea to mount your TV to the wall. Some toddlers may want to climb onto your television stand and if the TV is not mounted, it might fall on top of children. If you have a fireplace, you should usually put up a heat-resistant gate.
It is also a good idea to pay attention to your home’s windows. If you have blinds, you may want to tie the cords up high so children do not get tangled in them. Cordless blinds can also keep your child safe. Additionally, it is a good idea to install window guards so children do not fall out, especially if you have a window seat.
This information is general in nature. People should not use it in place of legal advice.
