Toddlers are curious and adventurous by nature. They want to explore and learn as much as possible, which can mean they’ll come into contact with things that may be dangerous for them. It’s important to take measures to ensure your toddler stays as safe as possible. As a parent, there are certain areas of the home that pose potential dangers to toddlers. Knowing these areas means you can avoid or at least minimize the risk of injury or damage in each one. Here’s how to keep your toddler safe in the house when you’re not watching.
Kitchen
It’s important to make sure your kitchen is child-proofed. Make sure all of the drawers and cabinets are closed and that all the appliances (including ovens and stoves) are turned off when not in use and cords aren’t dangling where toddlers can reach them. And if you have a garbage disposal, make sure it’s inaccessible to your toddler. Put knives up on a high shelf.
Bathroom
Bathrooms pose significant potential danger to toddlers. There are a few preventive measures you can take to help reduce the risk of injury or damage in the bathroom. One way you can protect your toddler is by installing a childproof latch on the door that ensures the door doesn’t close fully. This will allow them to go in and out when needed and ensure they don’t need assistance from adults. It also allows you to get into the bathroom when needed without worrying about being locked out. Toddlers may also want to explore the toilet, so it’s good to keep it locked or covered when not in use. You should never leave your toddler unsupervised around water, as they could fall in and drown. If you’re using any cleaning products near water, always do so safely and be sure that your child cannot reach those products without assistance from an adult.
Storage Areas
Toddlers are curious. They want to explore and learn as much as possible. This can mean they’ll come into contact with things that may be dangerous for them. Storage areas, for example, can pose a danger because of all the small objects that could be within arms reach of your toddler. It’s important to clear away anything that may be harmful so you don’t have to worry about your toddler coming across it when you’re not watching.
One storage area many people forget about is the garage. There are many dangerous things in a garage, and the door between the house and garage usually locks. Whether your child locks themselves in the garage or locks you in the garage while they’re in the house, having residential garage door openers are an easy solution. You can simply grab the remote and open the main door so you can get to your child and ensure their safety.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are another of the most dangerous areas in the home when it comes to toddlers. Kids like to climb and explore, and that means they’re going to look in and under beds for things. This is dangerous because they may find toys or other items that they can choke on or swallow. They may also get injured if the bed falls on them. They may climb on dressers and tip them over on themselves.
To minimize risk in this area, always put away any items that might pose a choking hazard or be harmful if swallowed. Also, make sure the bed frame and dressers are secured so they doesn’t fall on your child. When you’re not watching your child in his room, keep him in a crib or playpen with a baby gate blocking the door so he doesn’t get into trouble while you’re not looking.
You want your child to be safe to freely roam in their own home. And that’s a natural feeling. But in order for that to happen, you must take steps to ensure that the most dangerous parts of your home are off-limits or set up to be as safe as possible for your child.
