Once your little one starts walking there is no stopping them and as they get older, they will want to get into everything. This means you need to ensure your home is toddler-proof.
Here are nine ways to make your house or apartment safe for your child.
Protect plugs and sockets
Make sure little fingers can’t get into electrical sockets so protect them by investing in a number of outlet covers.
Cover edges and covers
Make sure you cover all edges and corners with padding. Your little one is likely to be at the right height to bump their head off the furniture so protect them by using bumpers to cover the edges.
Stair gate
Now, more than ever, you need to put a guard up on the stairs to stop your child climbing up them. Make sure it is fitted securely and doesn’t move when weight is pushed against it.
Domestic cleaners
While you can buy locks for cabinet doors, to be on the safe side, put all domestic cleaners up in a high press - out of your child’s reach.
Don’t have things overhanging
Make sure there is nothing overhanging on tables or shelves that your child can pull down. You never know what might fall on top of them when they pull it.
Ensure the TV is securely fitted
If can be easy for kids to pull the TV off the cabinet so try to have it up high and secured to the wall, if possible.
Cut ties and cords
Hanging cords and strings, most notably on blinds and curtains, can be particularly hazardous and pose a risk of strangulation. Make sure you cut all cords, use cord shorteners or only buy cordless blinds.
Lock windows
Toddlers are a curious bunch so it is important you ensure all windows and doors are locked. Fix window stops to upstairs windows and don’t put things in front of them that your child can climb up on and potentially fall out.
Door stopper
Make sure your child can’t get their hand caught in the door by putting door stoppers on them. These work by preventing the door closing fully.
