As a parent, you’ll want to do everything you can to keep your child or pet safe from harm, and that also goes for your home. So, here are a few ways to eliminate the worry of accidents and injuries for all your babies:
1. Pick up any objects that could be dangerous
While it’s obvious that you need to cover electrical outlets, tuck away sharp objects or breakables on high shelves, you should also make sure that there are no potentially dangerous items on the floor that could be tripped over. This includes toys, small household objects, or anything that could cause a young child to trip or fall.
2. Keep cleaning supplies out of reach
Be sure that you never store any potentially dangerous items like cleaning chemicals, detergents, or other poisonous materials in reach of your kids or pets because they could ingest them and get sick. But even if they don’t eat it, these items could still cause them to choke or inhale the vapors, which is dangerous for anyone.
That’s why you should consider switching to non-toxic or organic cleaning products because it’s better for your family and the environment. And if you do choose to keep any poisonous items in the house, make sure that they’re stored in a cabinet that is unreachable for kids or pets.
3. Vacuum the entire house often
This is especially important in areas where kids or pets spend a lot of time, like the living room or kitchen floor, because these gather a lot of dirt and dust, which isn’t good for anyone to be breathing in. Plus, it’s the easiest way to cover your bases and clean up any dirty areas that might be more dangerous if they aren’t dealt with immediately.
4. Don’t forget the garage and the car
While it’s easy to be aware of dangerous items at home, you should also make sure that your garage and your car are safe, too. That means putting away any tools that could cut someone or make them trip and fall, covering items that could cause damage should they be knocked over, and keeping things like your car keys or garage door opener out of reach for anyone other than yourself.
This immediately reduces any risk of accidents within your household, which makes everyone feel better and safer. Another option is to put child locks on your garage door so that your kids can’t access anything that could potentially hurt them.
5. Keep the backyard safe, too
It’s not just the inside of your home that needs to be child and pet-proof, but the backyard as well. Check for things like overturned pots that could become a breeding ground for mosquitoes or any other potential hazards.
And if you have a basement, make sure that you get a cover for window wells because young children or pets could fall there and get injured. So, before you let your child or pet roam around the backyard unsupervised, be sure to take the time to look around and see what needs to be repaired or moved.
6. Clean up any food spills right away
Parents should be sure to clean up any food spills immediately, so that young children do not have access to the materials that could make them sick. In addition, cover or move anything you don’t want your pet to chew on because they will go after anything that smells like food.
7. Be realistic about where your pet can go
While it’s great that you care enough about your kids or pets to want to give them the freedom of exploring the house, parents or pet-owners need to understand that they shouldn’t let their animals go everywhere, especially if the kids are young.
For example, if you have a pet that tends to run away when it’s out of the house, then you should keep them in a room that is safe enough for them. This means you might need to get a kennel or pick up some doggy gates so your pet doesn’t run around the house freely.
8. Keep all high spaces off-limits to pets
Never allow a pet to jump on the counter, especially if there is food up there. This will not only mean that they have access to food that could make them sick, but they could also end up breaking something or causing other damages to your house.
These are just a few simple tips to keep your home child and pet-friendly. Keeping the safety of your home is not only an important part of maintaining a healthy household but will also keep your kids and pets happy and healthy as well.
