How to: prepare your house for a child

When you think about preparing your home for children, you think immediately of the nursery, but the reality is that kids grow up very quickly and they will be tottering around the house before you know it.

If you have been living in your home for some time prior to the arrival of children, there are some simple things you can do to prepare your home for a child.

babyproof_550

Create a safe environment

By nature kids are inquisitive so it is important to cover off safety aspects of the home like (but not limited to):

– Blind/curtain cords- there have been 15 recorded deaths in Australia from strangulation by looped window and blind cords since the early 1990s. Make sure you have cord safety devices in all rooms, not just the nursery.

– Power points and electrical cords – install outlet plugs in power points not in use, you can use power point safety covers for those in use and if you use power boards you can buy safety covers to keep little fingers away from them. Place electrical cords behind furniture where you can; you will be surprised at what kids will sink their teeth into or trip over.

– Stairs – install safety gates if your children are below preschool age.

– Chemical storage – make sure you have somewhere to store cleaning products and other poisonous chemicals that children cannot access.

Create a relaxing & playful environment

You may have a fantastically designed play room in your house, but if it is located somewhere that is far away from the action and young children can’t see mum and dad easily, you will find they will spend more time near you than in the play room.

Consider setting up a small play space near the kitchen, often the main activity hub of the home, so the kids can see and interact with you and play on their own as you work around the house.

Kids by drawers

 

Be practical about the items you have on display in your home.

In theory teaching children to respect your property and not touch precious items is great, but the reality is that teaching this takes time and accidents happen.

Set up the house so you can relax when the kids are out of your sight. Think about putting items up high or away from kids, lock up any formal spaces, especially if they contain family heirlooms!

Manage household noise

Kids are beautifully noisy, but the noise can become wearing after a while. Consider soft furnishing to absorb some of the noise, with things like:

– rugs on the floor If you have floor boards

– thick curtains

– bookshelves full of books or dressers full of towels or linen can work as noise insulators, so place them strategically in your home.

Article sourced from realestate.com.au by Nicole Avery:

http://www.realestate.com.au/blog/preparing-your-house-for-a-child/

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