Make Your Home Safe for Your Toddler

Design Changes to Protect Your Tot from Accidents

© Rukhsana Badar

Jul 15, 2009

Toddlers are an inquisitive lot. A baby is far easier to handle than a tot who toddles around pulling and probing at whatever she sees. The arrival of a baby is always planned with care, but when the baby begins to crawl and then slowly walk the house needs to be toddler-proofed.

These simple and yet sensible design changes will make a home toddler-proof

Plan Safe Storage Places

• Above-head kitchen cabinets are safe storage places for poisonous liquids such as detergents, medicines and other chemicals. Breakable glass crockery should also be relegated to these cabinets.
• An elder child’s toys may have small parts that can cause choking. These should be kept away from the toddler. They can be kept in a large chest with a latch or in a top drawer if possible.
• Trinkets and ornaments on display will have be cleared away from side tables and placed on high shelves or in display units.

Make the Kitchen Toddler Safe

The kitchen can be one of the most dangerous places for a small child.

• Stove shields and knob covers will prevent burnt fingers.
• Latches can be employed to keep oven and fridge doors closed.
• Matches, knives and other hazardous items should be stored in locked drawers or pushed to the back of the counter.
• Smoke and fire alarms and extinguishers will help prevent serious disasters.

Make the Bathroom Toddler Safe

• It is best to keep bathrooms locked.
• Water should be drained completely from tubs. Leaving a child unattended in a filled tub can lead to drowning. Water should not be left in buckets.
• The toilet seat should be closed and locked if possible.
• Spout guards can be used to prevent a child from filling water in a tub.
• No-slip bath mats are a must.
• A closed above-head cabinet should be used to store medicines and soaps, shampoos and other items.

Keep a Toddler Safe Indoors

• Toddlers enjoy exploring new places and love nothing better than to slip away when no one is looking. Baby gates placed at the front door, balcony doors and on the stairs will prevent accidents.
• A small child learning to walk will catch hold of anything that comes within grasp to steady her. Large pieces of furniture that may tip over should be bolted down. If a piece is on castors it is best to lock the wheels to prevent it from suddenly rushing forward when the child leans on it.
• A folding ironing table should be folded and stored away from reach and the iron should also be out of harms way.
• It makes sense to clear off all hazardous objects such as breakables, irons, pills, screwdrivers and such from the floor up to table height.

These are just a few simple alterations with in the home that can keep a toddler safe from unnecessary mishaps. There are many more that only experience will show.

Toddler

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