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Your child’s safety is top priority and although we consider the home as the safest place for our little ones to be, there are some important steps to follow to ensure your child is kept out of harm’s way.
KidSafe provides a very helpful guide for keeping babies and toddlers safe in the home, we’ve summarised some key points below to help you child-proof your home ahead of the toddler stage!
General Safety in the Home
Tiny babies don’t tend to get up to too much mischief, but as they begin to crawl and walk, they unleash a whole new level of curiosity, and this is when you need to be extra vigilant. Toddlers want to explore everything, whether that be with their adorable chubby hands or their gummy mouths, so when it comes to toddler-proofing, you need to consider everything within reach.
Plug sockets can be blocked off with special plastic covers to keep fingers safe. You may also want to consider installing special locks for low drawers and using soft corner covers for any furniture that is particularly ‘pointy’ like low coffee tables and tv stands.
Washing pods and dishwasher tablets look particularly exciting to toddlers - like big squishy sweets or small bath toys. These must be kept well out the way of children as they are extremely dangerous if ingested, so always keep them up high and ensure the box is closed firmly.
Furniture Safety
When you’ve spent time building your furniture, it may seem like an unnecessary chore to then drill a hole in the wall to secure it. However, this step is hugely important, especially if you have children as they could try to climb the furniture, or it could be knocked and topple over.
Our large furniture items such as wardrobes and chests of drawers come with a wall strap for added security and peace of mind.
Keep low furniture such as chairs and side tables away from windows and ensure windows are fitted with child-safe locks. Always make a note of where the keys are kept in case of a fire.
Safety During Playtime
Playtime provides the perfect opportunity for your child to develop their independence and sometimes you may want to observe from a distance to encourage their confidence in being alone.
By choosing toys and toy storage with additional safety features, you can take more of a back seat with the comfort of knowing they’re playing safely.
For example, our Toy Box features a soft-close hinge to prevent trapped fingers and an air gap for if they decide they like the look of the toy box as a hiding place!
Choosing the Right Décor for your Toddler’s Bedroom
Bunting and fairy lights add a decorative touch to toddlers’ bedrooms, but if they’ve not been placed with careful consideration to your child’s safety then they can be extremely dangerous. Avoid placing any items like these around your child’s bed, especially if they have a bunk bed. If possible, it’s also best to keep your child’s bed away from curtains as children can get tangled up in the ties or even the curtain fabric.
For younger children and toddlers, keep all decorative hanging items well out the way as they’ll be drawn to the exciting colours and patterns and may try to grab them, pulling them down in the process.
You may see bunting and fairy lights in our lifestyle images, you may also see cushions and blankets in cots. Although they look beautiful, please note that these are for decorative purposes only and safe sleep guidelines should always be followed.
Always Opt for the Correct Furniture
If you have an older child and your toddler and child are sharing a bunk bed, please remember that the top bunk should only be used for children over the age of 6.
The safest place for a toddler to sleep is in a toddler bed, bottom bunk or low single bed with a guard panel attached to avoid any tumbles in the night.
Safety in the Car
Although not strictly in the home, it’s very important to think about your child’s safety when travelling. There are laws in each Australian state for travelling with children and using car seats, so please make sure you are aware of the requirements before setting off.
Experts suggest you should avoid traveling for long distances with pre-term and young babies. If you have a toddler and you’re travelling for a long time then you should take regular breaks where you take your toddler out of the car to move about and stretch.
For more information on travelling in the car with your bubs, take a read of Baby Centre’s helpful guide.
Child Safety During Mealtimes
When it comes to mealtimes, you’ll want to make sure you have a safe and sturdy highchair especially as this is the time where dinner time becomes more animated and exciting for your toddler!
Look out for a triangular structure when shopping for highchairs, as this ensures stability, and you’ll need a 5-point safety belt to keep your child safe and secure.
When your child has moved onto solid foods, ensure food is cut into very small pieces and avoid overly hard foods. Grapes are particularly dangerous and should be cut lengthways.
About to move your toddler from cot to bed? Take a read of our tips on how to do this here.
