Child Proofing: 10 Tips to Keep Your Children Safe From Harm

As a parent, you know that your child is one of the greatest joys and most precious gifts of your life. That's why you want to ensure a living space that makes them safe to explore and discover. Embarking upon child proofing an entire home can be overwhelming. You may not know where to begin or what specific items need to be proofed. No need to worry! Your local Wheaton-Hinsdale handyman is here for you.

It can be easy to take for granted all the components of a household that can cause harm to babies and toddlers. Some are obvious, like the sharp corners of tables and counters, and some are less obvious, such as peeling paint or improper crib assembly. That's why we're here to help. We know that your child is invaluable to you, and that’s why we want to help ensure that your house is child proofed to the highest standards.

In this blog, we'll explore 10 ways you can keep your children protected with child proofing measures as they explore their new surroundings and discover all the excitement our world has to hold.

1. Child Cabinet Locks

You may not realize all the dangers cabinets can hold for children. Child proofing drawers and cabinet doors below countertop height is a must, according to The Consumer Product Safety Commission. Cupboards are chock-full of items that can pose choking hazards. Child proofing drawers eliminate dangers such as cuts from knives, pizza cutters, and other sharp utensils, as well as any breakables like glasses or plates. Fingers can also get slammed or crushed in drawers and doors. It’s also very important to lock up anything that is toxic if ingested, such as cleaning products.

The best way to ensure these childproof cabinet safety locks and drawer latches are up to par is by calling in your local handyman for child proofing services. Our local handyman is more than adept at ensuring your cabinets and drawers are secured, and your children are safe and sound.

2. Electrical Socket Cover

Babies just discovering the world don't know the safety precautions that we find second nature. For example, we know not to stick objects into electrical sockets as they can cause serious shock and burn injuries. That's why an electrical socket cover is so essential when child proofing your home. There are a few options you can choose from when it comes to electrical socket covers, such as tamper-resistant receptacles, common plastic covers, or spring-loaded outlet covers. Ask your handyman for more information on these child proofing covers.

3. Stair Gate

It's not hard to guess why a stair gate is such an important child proofing measure to take when it comes to offering your child the safety and security they need. In babies and toddlers, one of the leading causes of emergency room visits is stair falls. The best place to put stair safety gates is at both the top and bottom of each staircase, but especially at the top. This way any risk of your child falling down the stairs is eliminated.

4. Remove Flaking, Peeling Paint

It's best to get any flaking paint taken care of as soon as possible when it comes to child proofing. The sharp edges of paint chips can cause injury, but more importantly, swallowing any of these paint pieces is poisonous and can even be fatal. Even breathing in the dust of paint can be harmful to a child. Your local handyman can take care of this issue by removing the peeling paint chips and re-painting with a fresh coat.

5. Get Rid Of Blind Cords

As you might be able to guess, window blind cords are a major hazard for babies and toddlers. Sadly, about two children a year die due to blind cord strangulation. It can take only 15 seconds for a child to become unconscious due to strangulation and poor child proofing.

There are two options for child proofing your blind cords. The first is to implement devices that are used to wrap up and encase blind cords. Alternatively, you could purchase cordless blinds operated by just a touch of the hand or remotes.

6. Furniture Anchors

Many people don't know that attaching furniture to walls is an option when it comes to child proofing. It's hard to keep an eye on your growing toddler at all times, so the security feature will enable you to rest assured that no dangerous pieces of furniture will fall on your child. It's especially important to secure heavy furniture pieces to walls, such as dressers and tables. Toddlers may open drawers and try to climb up to the top of the table or dresser. As we know, drawers are unsteady, but toddlers have yet to discover that. That's why child proofing drawers and doors is so essential.

7. Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Fire Detectors

Whether you have a baby or not, ensuring your carbon monoxide and fire detectors are in place is imperative and a child proofing essential that many people overlook. When there's any danger of gas or fire, these safety measures will warn you so that you and your family can get out of the house in plenty of time.

8. Secure Toilet Lid

When your toilet seat is not secured, it can cause drowning for toddlers. Because toddlers' heads are so much heavier than the rest of their bodies, it can cause imbalance. If they fall head-first into a toilet, they will not be able to get themselves back out again. Access to toilet water and also cause bacterial and dangerous chemical poisoning.

A toddler might be prone to flush foreign objects down the toilet such as mass amounts of toilet paper, toys, paper towels, sanitary products, and more. Call in our handyman now for help with child proofing, including installing a secure toilet lock.

9. Stove Guard

Stoves are one of the most dangerous components of your home when it comes to your children. They can easily burn their hands on the electric elements, as well as the oven door. Stove guards can keep your toddler from reaching over the stove and touching hot pots or elements without you having to keep an eye on them at all times. Additional measures you can take to protect your kids from burns are using the back two elements when cooking, as well as turning pot and pan handles away from the front of your stove.

10. Pinch Guards on Hinges

Small fingers can get wedged in between the smallest spaces. That's why it's important to take every precaution. Finger guards on hinges will protect those tiny digits from getting squished when doors are closed or from locking themselves in rooms. Just count on our local handyman to help with a pinch guard installation and you're one step closer to a home safe and secure for the movement of your little one!

Additional Child Proofing Measures To Take

These aren't the only baby-proofing items you can employ. You can also install corner guards, window treatments, multi-use locks, knob covers, window guards, and other safety latches.

As adults, it's easy to forget how dangerous our homes can be for our little ones. But it's not up to you to remember everything entirely on your own. Our local handyman has plenty of experience child proofing drawers, doors, windows, and much more, so you don't have to do it all on your own. There's no precaution too safe when it comes to your children. This is why we take the utmost care when installing all safety mechanisms so there's no risk of improper installation.

Your Local Handyman Is Here To Help You With All Your Child Proofing Needs!

Your child's safety and security can't wait! We want to help you protect your child from corners, electric sockets, bacterial poisoning and any other potential hazards. Whether you live in Wheaton, Hinsdale or the surrounding communities of Oak Brook, Clarendon Hills, and more, we can help with all your child proofing needs! We also offer services for many other handyman services such as drywall repair, window and door installation and repair, and customer carpentry, just to name a few!

Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale is proud to be a Neighborly company, and at Neighborly, we put our people first. When you choose us, we want you to be glad you did. That's why our workmanship is backed by our Neighborly Done Right Promise. We believe that a job isn't done until it's done right. Especially when it comes to the safety and well-being of your family! So, if you're not happy with the job we performed, then we promise to make it right.

Contact us today to schedule service for all your child proofing needs and services! Whether you need assistance with child proofing drawers, child proofing doors or windows, or securing a toilet seat, our handyman has the skills and experience to handle any child proofing job or task with ease and precision. Allow us to take a load off your mind, knowing your child proofing tasks couldn't be in better hands with Mr. Handyman.