The Most Dangerous Areas of the Home for Kids

Having kids is an adventure! From the moment you bring them home, they are growing and learning new things. A lot of this learning is done through self-discovery, such as walking up and down the stairs or climbing on beds and couches. However, kids are unaware of the dangers around them. A hot stove or cabinet stocked with household cleaners can look inviting.

Thankfully, today’s parents have a wide range of safety products to help them out. Let’s focus on the most dangerous places in the home and how you can protect little ones with appropriate safety gear.

The Bathroom

It’s not surprising that the bathroom is full of potential dangers. The combination of water and slick surfaces can lead to slips and falls. Young children can also burn themselves in hot water. Aside from these dangers, consider what’s hiding in your cabinets. Medicine, razors, and scissors are often within reach.

The Solution: Use non-slip bathroom mats next to the sink and tub. Install a spout cover to maintain water temperature. Keep all medications and sharp objects in a locked drawer or cabinet. Put a latch on the toilet (kids can drown in just a few inches of water).

Windows and Blinds

Window treatments may look pretty, but they can be hazardous to curious children. Strangulation can occur from a small piece of cord or string. Toddlers can also choke on the plastic pulls or metal slides.

The Solution: Remove all pulls and slides from the blinds. Cut window cords so that they are out of your child’s reach, or tie them up using a cord winder. Avoid placing a crib or toddler bed near a window.  

The Stairways

A study from 2012 found that one child is treated in the ER every six minutes due to a stair-related injury. Most of these children were under the age of five and suffered soft tissue or head and neck injuries.

The Solution: Safety gates should be used to secure the bottoms of stairways. Pressure-mounted gates are not reliable and can come loose. For an attractive option that can be used for all types of stairways, The Stair Barrier is highly recommended.

The Cabinets

Young children love exploring the home, and cabinets are filled with appealing items. Unfortunately, many of these items are dangerous. The areas to pay attention to are the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. Dishwasher and laundry soap packets are especially attractive to kids.

The Solution: Place safety locks on all cabinets and drawers. Store hazardous chemicals like bleach in upper cabinets.

The Kitchen

One last area of the home to address is the kitchen. Like the bathroom, the kitchen has many hazards such as the stove, oven, and dishwasher. Also pay attention to electrical outlets, as kids can trip on cords or play with the outlets. Refrigerator magnets should also be kept out of reach, as they could cause choking.

The Solution: Keep a lock on your refrigerator, dishwasher, and oven. Many appliances have built-in lock features, so you can use those instead. A stove guard and stove knob covers will keep your child safe around the stovetop.

The home is a child’s playground, and it’s up to you to keep them safe. Because you can’t watch them every second, products like The Stair Barrier are extremely helpful. With these stylish fabric gates, you can protect your child from stair-related injuries and perhaps sleep better at night!