Toddlers are curious little things, and this curiosity is what helps them improve their skills for when they will grow up. Curiosity is the thing that marks their childhood, and makes it an unforgettable period. But curiosity is also the reason they get hurt in the majority of cases. As a parent you take care of your little ones, and you try to not leave them a moment on their own, but sometimes they manage to escape your sight. A bruise is no reason to worry, because it is part of the growing up process, but parents have to be careful when it comes to their children’s safety, because there are cases when curiosity leads to serious accidents.
Parents try to design their homes as safe havens for their children, but sometimes they skip from view exactly the aspects that can cause an accident. Studies show that more than 4 million children get hurt in their houses every year.
You should check the windows
You do not want to imagine what would happen if your toddler will tumble out of a window, but thousands of parents experience this every year. You may think how the little ones do it, considering that the majority of windows have mechanisms that require a certain movement to open them. Well, the fact is that children are intuitive and if they see you once they will know exactly what they have to do in order to open the window. So, if you want to make sure that you will prevent an accident, then you should install window guards. It is important to install them correctly, so make sure that there are no more than three inches between the bars. Also, you have the possibility to opt for window stops, they have the role to prevent the windows for opening more than five inches. Also, in the rooms where your kids spend the majority of their time it is advisable to not install shades or blinds, because children cords can strangle them.
Guard your house against fire
Toddlers are more likely to die or experience serious health issues in a fire than an adolescent or adult, because they do not know how to react and they are not able to escape the house if you are not around. Therefore, you as a parent have to make sure that you prepare your house for a fire. In case you live in a large house you should install smoke alarms in every room of the house. Do not forget to check them from time to time, because you have to make sure that they function properly. It is advisable to invest in multipurpose fire extinguishers.
Check the carbon monoxide levels
In case your children experience symptoms similar to flu often, but they do not seem to experience this health condition, then you should check the house for carbon monoxide, because it can have this side effect. If low levels of carbon monoxide can cause symptoms similar to the ones of flu, high levels can lead to death, especially when it comes to toddlers. This gas does not allow their brain and heart to get the needed amount of oxygen, so it is advisable to check if the air they breathe is poisoned, before they experience one of the above symptoms. In order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, you should check if the appliances you use work properly, because in the majority of cases they do not burn the fuels completely, and they generate gases.
Also, it is advisable to check the chimney and heating system every year, before the cold season hits, because in the majority of cases they lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Make sure the products you use to extinct bugs are safe
Pests are quite annoying, but when you have children, you have to make sure that the products you use to kill pests are not dangerous for your children. They are a big health treat for toddlers because they contain numerous toxins. If you will use pesticides inside the house, then you should know that they will pollute the air your children breathe and they can experience health issues. The best way to prevent insect invasion is to keep your house clean and free of food particles. In case you need to use pesticides, it is advisable to opt for the ones that come in forms of baits and gels, and stay away from sprays.
Prevent scalding
Toddlers can get drown even in the bathtub, so you should not let them unsupervised near pools and spaces filled with water. If you want to teach your little ones how to swim in your backyard pool then you should know that it is always important to keep the water clean because children can quickly get sick if the water is filled with bacteria. Also, when you give them a bath you should make sure that you do not use hot water, because on their sensitive skin it has the same effect fire does. The temperature of the water should not be higher than 11 degrees F.
Make sure they are not exposed to irritants and allergens
Toddlers have a higher risk of getting sick if they are exposed to environmental pollutants. So, if you want to protect them from allergens and irritants you should not allow people smoke indoors. Check your house for mould, because it can be hidden in the walls and basement corners. You should keep the humidity levels as lower as possible and use dehumidifiers to prevent fungus growth. Check out this guide from unclutterer on the best dehumidifiers that will help you to choose the perfect one. In case you experience water damage, then you should hire a professional company to deal with the situation. Get rid of the furniture items that are exposed to water damage and keep the windows of the house open as often as possible. In case you plan to paint one of the rooms of the house, make sure the paint is dried and you keep the windows open for a long period of time before getting the toddlers inside.
