Kids enrich our lives in so many ways, but one thing you will notice when your gorgeous little baby grows up into a curious toddler is that there are a million and one dangers inside the home. Just because you are a parent, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a nice home. Yes, you can still keep your cream leather sofa and table lamps by Pagazzi, but if you want your toddler to stay safe, there are a few things you need to do in the living room. In this post, we are going to outline how you can toddler-proof your living room without compromising on style.
Fix Heavy Furniture to the Walls
Toddlers like to climb and items like bookcases and cupboards are a magnet for little monkeys. The problem is that heavy furniture has a tendency to topple over when the centre of gravity shifts, which is what happens when a small person climbs up the front. If a heavy bookcase falls over, it can be fatal. Don’t risk this happening. Use brackets to fix the item to the wall.
Watch Out for Rugs
Rugs are a trip hazard. Toddlers are often unsteady on their feet and are apt to trip up over the slightest thing. Be careful with rugs and think twice about placing them in an area where your child may decide to run full pelt. If you have a rug on a hard floor, fit slip-resistant pads to the base of the rug so it doesn’t slide everywhere.
Consider Hard Flooring
Carpets are soft underfoot, but they are a nightmare when you have toddlers. Little kids spill drinks and food, no matter how careful you are. It takes a very disciplined parent to ensure a toddler never carries drinks and snacks away from the kitchen. If you, like 99% of all parents, let your kids sit in the living room with snacks and cups of juice, do not install a light-coloured carpet. Instead, consider fitting laminate flooring or hardwood floors, as they are easier to clean and resistant to food and drink spills.
Fix Corner Protectors to Low Furniture
Low furniture such as coffee tables are a common cause of injuries. Toddlers trip up or walk into the edge of the table. Tears and trauma follow soon after. Protect your child from painful bumps and lumps by fixing rubber protectors to sharp corners. You can pick these up cheaply from Amazon.
Block Power Outlets
Give a curious toddler a pen and he will likely try poking it into a power outlet. It’s something that most kids do if left to their own devices. For obvious reasons, this is dangerous. Luckily, you can pick up simple plastic socket covers for very little. Use them to block off any sockets you don’t need.
Move Electrical Items Out of Reach
Don’t leave your expensive electrical items in easy reach of curious little fingers. Fix expensive flat screen TVs to the wall and move DVD players and games consoles inside lockable cupboards when not in use. Don’t forget also that modern TVs are very top heavy and can cause significant injuries if they topple over.
Fit a Fire Guard
Fires are an obvious danger. Fit a fire guard to keep your child away from harm’s way when the fire is in use. This is especially important if you have an open fire or a log burner.
Install Radiator Covers
Radiators get very hot and if your child puts their hand on a radiator, he or she may burn themselves. Fit a radiator cover. They look attractive and protect your child from contact burns.
This is not an exhaustive list of precautions you should take, so do a risk assessment and try to see your living room from a toddler’s perspective.
