Young families buying their first property are presented with a range of financial and practical challenges, and one of the most important is to ensure the home is safe for their children.
If you’ve got toddlers and young children, you need to be confident your new home is child-friendly.
Risks with swimming pools and spas are well-known to us all unfortunately, but risks also lurk in the kitchen, bathroom and at the top of the stairs.
As an experienced agency in your area, our staff will often talk young families through some of the dangers and offer ideas on how to neutralise them.
And if you’re selling a home that’s being marketed to young families, it can be a smart move to use a few safety devices, such as a gate at the top of the stairs, to emphasise the child-safe aspects of your home.
Below we’ve listed some ideas to make a home child-friendly. You’ll find these solutions at any decent hardware store. Our advice is that it’s better to be safe than sorry. Consult your retailer for more ideas and product choices.
No match for a latch
Latches and catches are the perfect strategy to prevent children opening cupboards that might store chemicals, appliances or sharps, such as knives and handy household tools.
Heat in the kitchen
Many ovens feature a double-pane door that shields heat. This means your toddler won’t be burned if they put their hands against the glass. Some new ovens circulate cool air between the panes to further reduce risk. Ovens should also have a door lock. For your fridge door, consider installing a latch so kids don’t swing on it.
Batten down the bathroom
Tap covers will prevent your little ones from turning on the hot water and scolding themselves. These covers work equally well in the laundry and kitchen. Make sure a child cannot climb into the bath and also install non-slip strips to minimise the risk of a fall.
Sharp corners
Avoid buying furniture with sharp edges. Kids have a remarkable ability to find them – usually with their heads.
Stairway to safety
Toddlers must be protected from falling down or climbing up the stairs. Install stairs and hallway gates for peace of mind.
Other tips
Covers for electrical outlets will prevent children putting forks, knives and fingers where they shouldn’t. Door-stops can prevent kids getting their fingers caught in a door jam if it swings shut, and doorknob covers prevent children entering rooms they shouldn’t.