Did you know that you can make your house safer for children for a fraction of the expense that it would take to hire a professional to do it?
There are many different types of establishments that sell child safety devices, including hardware stores, baby equipment shops, grocery stores, medicine stores, home and linen stores, and even mail order catalogues.
Here is a list of ten essential kid safety equipment that can assist in preventing accidents to infants and young children.
1. Safety latches and locks are installed on cabinets and drawers to assist prevent youngsters from having access to harmful substances such as medications and cleaning products for the home, as well as knives and other potentially dangerous items.
Look for safety latches and locks that can be installed and used without much difficulty by adults, but which are also robust enough to withstand the pulling and tugging that youngsters may do. Safety locks may not provide an absolute assurance of safety, but they do make it more difficult for youngsters to access chemicals that could be harmful to them. Even items that are designed to deter children from opening the container should be stored in a secure location. In most cases, a safety latch or lock will cost less than two dollars.
2. The installation of safety gates can assist prevent youngsters from falling down steps and keep them away from potentially hazardous locations. Keep an eye out for safety gates that youngsters won't have much success in removing, but which adults will have little trouble opening or closing. Gates that screw into the wall offer a higher level of protection than pressure gates when used at the top of steps.
The certification seal of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association is displayed on all newly installed safety gates that are compliant with safety regulations (JPMA). If you have an older safety gate, check to make sure that it does not have any "V" forms that are deep enough for a child's head and neck to fit inside. This is especially important if the gate is made of metal. There is a price range of $13.00 to $40.00 for a safety gate.
3. Doorknob covers and door locks are utilized to assist in the prevention of youngsters from gaining access to potentially hazardous areas, such as swimming pools. Make sure the cover for the doorknob is strong enough not to break, but that it still allows an adult to enter the door swiftly in the event of an emergency.
Doorknob covers have the ability to reduce the risk of a wide variety of injuries by limiting access to areas of the home that might pose a threat to the occupants. To prevent small children from gaining access to swimming pools, door locks should be installed at a height that is out of their reach. In addition to fences and door alarms, locks should be utilized to secure the doors. Sliding glass doors with locks that need to be re-secured after each usage are not always an effective barrier to pools since they need to be opened and closed often. The cost of a doorknob cover is often around one dollar, whereas the cost of a door lock typically ranges from five dollars and higher.
4. Install anti-scald devices on your taps and shower heads, and adjust the temperature of your water heater to no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce the risk of burns caused by hot water. There is a price range of $6.00 to $30.00 for an anti-scald gadget.
5. Install smoke detectors on each level of your home and near sleeping areas to be notified immediately of any fires. In order to safeguard against fatalities and injuries caused by fires, smoke detectors are very necessary safety equipment.
Smoke detectors should be tested once a month to ensure that they are functioning properly. If the detectors are powered by batteries, the batteries should be changed at least once a year, and you should consider purchasing batteries with a lifespan of 10 years. In most cases, the price of a smoke detector is lower than ten dollars.
6. Window guards and safety nets are commonly utilized to assist in the prevention of falls from windows, balconies, decks, and landings. Frequent inspections to ensure that these preventative measures have been installed, configured, and maintained correctly are essential. It is recommended that there be no more than four inches of space in between each of the window guard's bars.
Even if you have window guards, you need to make sure that there is at least one window in each room that can be opened quickly in the event of a fire. Children cannot be effectively prevented from falling out of windows using window screens as a safety measure. The price of a window guard or safety netting ranges anywhere from $8.00 to $16.00 on average.
7. Corner and edge bumpers are used to assist avoid injuries that might be caused by falls against sharp edges, such as those found on fireplaces and furniture. Be cautious to search for bumpers that can be fastened firmly to the edges of furniture or fireplaces. The price of a corner and edge bumper typically starts at $1 and goes up from there.
8. Covers and plates for electrical outlets are used to assist protect children from the dangers of electrical shock and the possibility of being electrocuted. Be certain that children are unable to remove the outlet protectors easily and that they are not small enough for children to suffocate on them if they are swallowed. In most cases, the cost of a cover for an outlet is less than two dollars.
9. Installing carbon monoxide (CO) detectors outside of sleeping areas can be of assistance in preventing CO poisoning. Put carbon monoxide detectors in places of your home that are close to bedrooms. The price of a carbon monoxide (CO) detector typically ranges from thirty dollars to seventy dollars.
10. Using a cordless phone to make it simpler to keep a constant check on small children, particularly when they are in potentially hazardous environments such as bathtubs, swimming pools, or other such places. A cordless phone might cost up to thirty dollars.
When it comes to childproofing your house, you do not need to invest a lot of money. However, you really must act on this right away.