Being the parent of a toddler doesn’t give you much time to relax. Unless they are in nursery a lot, you need to have eyes in the back of your head. And no matter how safe you think your home is, everything in the house poses a safety risk. It can be a death trap for small, fast and unsteady on their feet toddlers, so what do you need to be aware of?
Photo by Aaron Mello on Unsplash
The Causes Of Falls
Toddlers and babies fall down, it’s a fact of life, but you need to know exactly what causes your kids to fall down. Sometimes it’s them trying to make a couple of their first steps, but sometimes it’s something much worse. It’s important to have stair gates installed, but also if you have children trying to walk, be aware of the C-word: corners! If you can, do your best to soften corners, and avoid any protruding sharp edges. In addition to this, you need to get into the habit of closing the door! Every door needs to stay shut because if you are on your own, and you look down for one second, your child could be off faster than Usain Bolt!
Be Handy With A Screwdriver
If you think something is stable, it’s very likely that it won’t be! Get into the habit of being able to fix things to the wall, especially things that are electrical. Most modern TV stands aren’t always that secure, so make sure that you pick a stand for the television that is secure enough, but also, ensure that your TV isn’t easily pushed over. Most flat screen televisions now are too lightweight! And while you’re in the habit of fixing things to the wall, put a couple of locks on cupboard doors, and put dangerous items high up, away from wandering hands.
Check Your Hot Water
Of course, we’re all aware of how scolding hot or boiling water can be, but when you’ve got a child tugging at your leg, and you’re trying to cook something over the stove, boiling water could spit out! This is something you need to be aware of. And if you haven’t nailed down the habit of checking the bath water to see if it’s too hot, it’s best to get a bath thermometer. 37 degrees is the ideal temperature, but when you have finished running the bath, make sure you wait before checking the temperature, especially if you’ve added cold water. It’s best to ensure the temperature of every part of the water is even, so you get a decent reading.
Move Those Wires
And, the age-old problem of children tripping over wires is something that will never disappear. Kids can climb over everything, so it’s not just about ensuring that cables are hidden, it’s about ensuring that they are safe. Purchase some cable ties and look at everything from your child’s point of view. Is something sticking out that looks like it might be quite fun to play with?!
As a parent, a toddler can cause you on mild heart attack from time to time, so do your best to make it less stressful for you, and instead of worrying about what your child can bump their head on in your house, maybe it’s better to remove these items?