Is Your Home Childproof? You Might Be Overlooking These 5 Places
Children are a welcome addition to any home, but they can find themselves in dangerous situations when they learn how to crawl and walk. Objects like the fireplace or oven may be clear danger zones, but what about the rest of your home? You might be overlooking these five places that are dangerous for kids.
Photo by paige cody
1. Home Office
Many homeowners include a workspace inside their homes because of remote work. Research shows that in 2023, about 25% of professional jobs will be remote. Home offices allow parents to be home with their small children and work, but the environment may lead to accidents with kids.
The most dangerous part of a home office is the electrical aspect. A work-from-home area likely has a desktop computer with numerous wires running across the floor. Electrical outlets could shock a child if they’re playing unsupervised. Some workers like to install indoor gardens in the office. These plants provide freshness and aesthetics, but popular plants like azaleas are poisonous if ingested.
2. Toilet
The next place you should ensure is childproof is the bathroom — specifically, inspect the toilet. The toilet isn’t very high, so it won’t be long before your young one is tall enough to see over the base and inside. An open toilet lid can lead to your child playing in the water and dropping toys or expensive electronics in. At worst, the toilet poses a drowning risk. Only a couple of inches of water can drown a child, so it’s well worth paying attention to the bathroom.
There are a couple of ways to make a toilet childproof. First, consider using a lock for the seat. These mechanisms are difficult for kids to unlock and keep the toilet locked. Another option you have is to get an ADA-compliant toilet for your bathroom. These toilets are typically taller to make them more accessible for disabled people to sit on.
3. Garage
Another overlooked place for childproofing is the garage. Children typically don’t spend much time here unless it’s a designated play place. Some people renovate their garage and convert it into another bedroom or a common area for the family to hang out. Regardless, this area poses a risk for kids.
One area of risk in the garage is the door. You may have an automatic door that moves based on sensors. This mechanism will work most of the time, but there is a chance of malfunction and mechanical errors. Some people keep their garage door open, but this idea isn’t wise. Leaving the door cracked adds tension to the springs, straining them unnecessarily.
The garage can also be dangerous for your children because of chemicals. This area is likely where you keep products like gasoline, paint, and other items. Store these cans and canisters out of reach from your kids by placing them on high shelves or locking them up. Leaked fluids could also lead to slips and further accidents in the garage.
4. Laundry Room
The garage or basement could be where you have your laundry machines. Washing machines are typically high, so it’s hard for your child to reach the lid, but your kids could be in danger if they manage to access it. The most dangerous comes with front-load washing machines. These systems are typically more water-efficient, but they’re much easier to access for small children and pets.
The best way to protect your kids is to use a safety lock. You can use them for the washer and dryer, whether front-load or top-load. Another concern for your laundry room is the detergent, which is likely sitting near the washing machine. Any detergent form is dangerous for children if ingested — it can cause vomiting or choking and be fatal. Keep it locked up or out of your kids’ reach.
5. Dishwasher
A kitchen is dangerous for small children because of ovens and other hot surfaces, but one place you might need to remember is the dishwasher. Your kid likely doesn’t know how to open the dishwasher and may be too short. However, the dangers come when your dishwasher is open. When loading and unloading the machine, sharp knives may expose your child to harmful situations if you look away, even for a moment.
The best method is to keep the dishwasher closed at all times when you’re not actively unloading or loading. When you’re away from it, take advantage of the lock button on the machine. If your young one likes to press buttons, cover them with tape or a piece of cardboard. Like the laundry machines, another concern is detergent. Keep this product locked up until it’s time to use it. Dish detergent can be poisonous for your child if they ingest it.
Creating a Safe Environment for Your Children
When they’re young, kids are curious creatures. They love wandering around the home and discovering anything they can get into. Unfortunately, that can lead to dangerous situations. If you look away just for a moment, your child could begin touching and ingesting things that are harmful to them. Remember to childproof these five places in your house that you might overlook.
Author: Rose Morrison
