Childproof: 10 tips for a childproof home
Your little one is just starting to crawl around the apartment. Then it’s high time to change a few things to make the apartment safe for children. Here we show you ten possible sources of danger for little heads and fingers and how you can easily eliminate them.
1. Sockets childproof?
Children like to explore their surroundings. And most often the most interesting thing is exactly what mom and dad forbid. This also includes sockets, which are very practical for your child, right next to the floor. And the small holes just tempt you to put an object or even your own fingers in them.
The solution: You can protect your child with a socket child safety device. Most fuses will work with both grounded and ungrounded outlets.
Socket fuses are either plugged into the socket so that they “plug” the two holes, so to speak. You usually need a tool or some kind of key to remove them. Another variant are fuses that are firmly glued into the socket.
Pssst: Some socket inserts are so clever that you can use the socket while it is childproof at the same time. With such socket fuses, you can move a small plastic plate with the two contacts of the plug so that it uncovers the socket holes.
2. Sharp corners
Once children can walk and reach a certain height, table edges and other sharp corners often get in the way. Of course, you try to avoid sharp corners and edges at “child height” as much as possible. With some furniture, such as tables, however, this is not always easy to implement.
The solution: You can simply cover sharp corners with a corner protector. The small plastic attachments are available in different shapes and colors. Some are very subtle and almost “invisible”. Others, on the other hand, are real eye-catchers. The plastic corners are simply glued to the edges of the table or shelf. The soft curves reduce the risk of injuring yourself on sharp edges and your furniture is safe for children.
3. No access for children
There are places in your apartment where your child should not go on a journey of discovery alone?? Stairs in particular can be dangerous for your little one, as they can easily slip and fall down the stairs.
The solution: Door gates are ideal if your child cannot reach a certain area of the home or – vice versa – should not leave it temporarily. You can easily mount the gates between the wall and the banister or in the door frame between two rooms. Door grilles are also suitable in other places, for example to make the exits to the balcony or terrace child-proof.
4. Slamming door
Little explorers stop at nothing – doors are opened and closed from time to time. This can sometimes be dangerous for small children’s fingers.
The solution: doorstops and foam profiles can prevent doors from slamming inside the home. Foam profiles are simply attached to the door leaf. Some are also attached to the top of the door frame instead. There are also doorstops that are clamped under the door. Such professional stoppers are more than just wedges. They have latches that can only be removed by adults. This allows you to fix the door in a certain position, unlike with the foam profiles. This is not only childproof, but also very practical.
5. Open windows
Would you like to open the window but are afraid that your offspring could throw something out or even fall out themselves?
The solution: With a window lock, you can not only close windows tightly – you can also lock them in a certain position. In this way you can be sure that your child cannot open the window further than you would like and at the same time ensure that the window is not blown over by a gust of air and the little children’s fingers are not trapped.
Pssst: Window locks that you can only unlock with both hands are particularly child-proof.
6. Lock drawers and cupboard doors in a childproof manner
There are many things in your apartment that are taboo for children: scissors and knives, cleaning supplies and chemicals, as well as matches, lighters and much more. That’s why you want to be sure that your child cannot open cupboards and drawers and that everything is stowed safely away from children?
The solution:So-called multi-locks, drawer and cabinet locks help with this. The two ends of the multi-lock are each attached to the cabinet and its door or drawer front. Between the two pieces of plastic is a bar that can be tightened and loosened on one side with a little skill. Cabinet and drawer locks are fixed inside the cabinet. They work like a small tick that when engaged prevents the cabinet from opening fully. If you press the holder down slightly, the drawer or door opens as usual.
7. Slippery bathtub
Your child loves to splash around in the bathtub and sometimes jumps around excitedly. Unintentional diving maneuvers can quickly occur on the smooth floor of the bathtub.
The solution: You can buy a bath mat so that your child does not slip when getting up in the bath. This consists of non-slip rubber and offers the feet a good grip. The mat is attached to the tub floor with suction cups. So you can easily remove them again at any time.
Pssst: There are also comparable rubber mats that you can use to make the shower childproof
8. Slipping carpets
If the tickle monster is chasing through the apartment behind your child, then it will certainly hurry to escape from it as quickly as possible. A slipping carpet can quickly become a tripping hazard.
The solution: With a carpet anti-slip protection, this problem is solved in no time. A carpet anti-slip usually consists of a rubber-like fabric. This sticks to both the carpet and the floor. So the carpet doesn’t slip and wild chases through the living room are no longer a problem.
Pssst: You usually get anti-slip protection in one large piece – but you can simply cut it to the right size for your carpet.
9. Smooth stair treads
As your child gets older, they don’t just want to dress themselves and eat on their own. She also wants to be able to climb the stairs all by herself. Since the small steps on unfamiliar terrain are not yet so safe, it can quickly happen that your child slips.
The solution:There is also a type of anti-slip protection for stairs. You may know this from the stairs in the bus or in the entrance halls of public buildings. You can stick these rough strips to the edges of the steps and make them childproof very easily. Some are self-adhesive, others are attached with double-sided tape. Such a stair slide protection not only protects your child. Even if you go down the stairs with a full laundry basket, you can rely on the discreet protective strips.
10. Danger area cooker
The kitchen is one of the most exciting places in the whole apartment, because after all, mum cooks her favorite dish here and the food smells delicious. No wonder your little one wants to cook with you. But hot stovetops can quickly become a danger for small children’s hands.
The solution: To protect your child from burns and to make the kitchen childproof, a stove guard is just the thing. A stove guard encloses the cooking surface like a small fence from three sides. It is usually around 20 centimeters high, making it impossible for your child to reach onto the hot stove or pots and pans.
Pssst:There are also stove guards that are fitted to the edge of the worktop. After cooking, they can be folded down on a hinge to cover the fittings. This prevents your child from accidentally switching on the stove.