The joy of parenthood knows no bounds, however, so do the responsibilities. Younger children do not have fully developed cognitive abilities to decipher between safe and harm. This is why they need secure play areas in the home to keep them from harm’s way. A survey showed that about 2000 children die each year from accidental home injuries. So, how do you safeguard your younger kids at home? Take a look at these points below.
Check your flooring
The best flooring for kids’ play areas is one that is resistant to scratches, easy to clean, and not prone to causing accidental falls leading to injuries. You will also want to explore options that are easy on the pocket. This is where laminate flooring comes into the picture. This flooring type gives you a real hardwood look, although it’s not. It does not require regular polishing or waxing to keep it in good condition. These floors are also an excellent choice for allergy-sensitive kids. With its tight seal, it does not retain hair, fur, or pollen dander, which are known triggers for some allergic conditions. Quickly clean any spills on your laminate floors because they tend to be very slippery when wet.
Be creative with storage
With children in the picture, you will be saddled with an overflow of toys in your home. This is the time you need multifunctional furniture in your space. Controlling toy clutter requires some creativity, and your role as a parent demands that. Did you know unpacked toys left to lie on the floor are major causes of accidental slips and falls in the home? Therefore, invest in couches or padded coffee tables with storage drawers. Parents prefer double-tiered coffee tables because the bottom drawers are designed to hold a sizable toy basket. Besides adding texture and color to your home, your savvy storage options are convenient when you have kids. You can convert your window seats into lift-up storage places, making it easy to keep the house clean and safe.
Cordon off and safe-proof an area in your home
Children are explorers, and if you’re unable to anticipate danger zones in the home, there may be many injuries. Safe-proofing your home means taking steps to pre-empt your child’s moves and forestalling accidental injuries. Reserve space for your kid; a room would suffice. To properly assess the safety of this space, spend enough time with your tots there, as it will give you practical ideas on what to do. For example, you will notice that a play zone is too close to the staircase or kitchen door. In some other cases, parents have observed that their kids can wiggle through protective bars or climb over poorly built barriers. Be sure the area is free of an electric outlet, breakables like vases and mirrors, or even house plants. You should ensure that you can keep an eye on your children while they play.
Kids are little explorers with no limits! Therefore, you should always make sure your child can do so in a safe environment to prevent avoidable accidents.
