Raising children is one of the most challenging yet rewarding things that you can do in life. They will bring you countless joy, laughter, fun times and love. They will also press your buttons and stress you out, but it’s something that you wouldn’t change for the world. It’s also your sacred responsibility to keep your children safe from harm. And that job begins in the home, from day one. You need to ensure that your home is childproof and a safe place for them to start to grow and explore. So let’s get into gear for the safety shift and learn how to make your home child-friendly.
Get Your Wiring Checked
Faulty wiring can be extremely hazardous and can result in house fires. When you prepare to bring baby home from the hospital, engage a domestic electrician in Melbourne to come and assess your properties wiring. Chances are everything will be above board, but it is better to be safe than sorry and get some peace of mind. Older houses are especially prone to wiring faults, so if you’ve bought an old fixer-upper, make sure to get it checked out. While we’re on the topic of electricity.
Cover Those Powerpoints
Once bubba begins to crawl, you need to start your baby-proofing in earnest. Grab some of those plastic powerpoint covers and plug them into every powerpoint that is at ground height. Kids love to poke, prod and explore and an exposed powerpoint is a hazard.
Cupboard Locks
Ensure that all cupboards within baby’s reach have childproof safety locks on them. This is especially important for under the kitchen sink and the laundry sink where you keep all your bleaches, cleaning products and other harsh household chemicals. You can sometimes get absent-minded, especially in the first few years of your child’s life, so remember to always lock these safety locks after using the cupboards.
Have A Dedicated Play Area
While the baby will be in your room for at least the first year, one way to make your home child-friendly is to ensure that they have a dedicated play space to explore and learn in. If you have their room ready, this can be that area. If not, section off a corner of the lounge or living room. Put up a playpen wall, and put down a mat for tummy time. Fill the area with toys, puzzles and other things to play with. Your child will absolutely adore spending time in their special area.
Is Your Cot Safe?
You need to ensure that your cot meets all the current safety standards. These are updated regularly, so if you’re using an older cot or a hand-me-down if might not actually be safe. Your maternal child health nurse can assess this for you - you should be visited by them in the first week of your child’s life but if possible get it evaluated before they come home, so you know they’re safe and sound.
A Child-Safe Conclusion
Get your home’s wiring checked out for safety, especially if you’ve bought an older home that you plan to renovate. Make sure that you cover all powerpoints that are within reach of your bundle of joy, and grab some child-safe cupboard locks to keep those chemicals out of harm’s way. Make your home child-friendly by creating a dedicated play space for your new bub to explore and learn in, and finally, ensure that your cot meets all required safety standards. And the most important tip of all - cherish these moments, because they’ll be a teenager with attitude in no time at all!
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